REVIEWS FEB/MAR 2022 REVIEWS FEB/MAR 2022 REVIEWS FEB/MAR 2022 in their eponymous debut release. With a definite influence of Led Zeppelin, and other hard rock bands. The highly rhythmic soundscapes on the album and the guitar playing of lead singer and songwriter Flo Bauer, the Lap Steel guitar of Gino Monachello, and the double bass of Franck Bedez keep the album on the less intense side of heavy rock, but when they want to kick it in, they can, as the wahwah guitar solo on Native Man shows. Their cover of Staying Alive by The Bee Gees takes liberties with the original arrangement but is still an intriguing, and original heavy rock reading of a disco classic. Lead singer Flo Bauer also has a hand in most of the songs, with opener Free Me From The Devil, Victim of Love and the solo written I Remember all being fine examples of his talent. Victim of Love has something of a sound akin to middle era Chris Rea, its rootsy guitar figure, and thick toned lap steel guitar part adding to the impression. Coming Back is a gentle ballad, with something of Dave Gilmour’s aural signature in the guitar, and gently played lap steel guitar. Pretty Baby is a lively rootsy rocker, allowing for a fine drum contribution from Matthieu Zirn. Circle of Mud are a talented band, with strong musicianship at the forefront, and a charismatic vocalist in Flo Bauer. They are a band to watch on the international blues scene. BEN MACNAIR
COREY HARRIS THE INSURRECTION BLUES BOOS RECORDS This is Corey’s twentieth release and his first for three years. He produced
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this with Simone Scifoni in Atri, Italy. Other than two songs; the quirky spiritual, When Did You Leave Heaven where Lino Muoio plays mandolin and on the up-tempo instrumental, Afton Mountain Blues where Phil Wiggins plays harmonica, Corey plays solo guitar and sings all songs. For this release he goes back to explore traditional blues with a distinct West African twist. Corey wrote four, including Mama Africa which is a raw acoustic version of the tune he played on his last album Free Water Way, a stunning mix of guitar styles and sweet vocals. The opener, Twelve Gates To The City sees him weave a Gospel style lyric whilst picking some great guitar style. Traditional blues gets no better than his take of Charlie Patton’s Some Of These Days, such a pure and honest take to this. Toubaka exhibits his wonderful finger style technique as does Sunjata which has an infectious hypnotic rhythm, African influences on the chord structure here, his guitar technique is stunning and fresh, spellbinding at times. Take the title track Insurrection Blues; He sings and delivers lines with sincerity and insight, very powerful song subtitled Chickens Come Home To Roost. Boats Up River and By And By brighten the mood. Then the two Blind Blake interpretations, You Gonna Quit Me Baby and That Will Happen No More mix traditional with contemporary tones. Another instrumental Scottsville Breakdown closes this very enjoyable release. COLIN CAMPBELL
DAVID VEST LIVE IN CALGARY
PHILLIP-MICHAEL SCALES
SINNERSONGWRITER Dixie Frog
As Phillip was growing up, he had an awareness of an uncle who played blues guitar for a living, but he shied away from the blues and playing solos. He subsequently fronted his own Indie Rock/Pop Bands, using the moniker Briar Rabbit who released a couple of albums although it wasn’t long before he got drawn back into the blues and found the music suited his style. He now performs under his own name mixing blues with Indie Rock styles he calls “Dive Bar Soul”. By the way his uncle was the late great B.B.King. Phillip is a very dominant front man playing electric guitar and delivering exceptionally strong vocals. At times this is pure rock music with an underlying blues feeling although there are a couple of slower paced songs, the highlight of these is Go Easy On Me where Phillip shows his versatility with a soulful vocal performance aided by some subtle backing vocal arrangements by Kristin Brooks. On this album session players provide the backing support, and all do a cracking job, aided by a couple of guests including John Lee Hooker’s nephew Archie Lee Hooker who performs a good vocal on When they Put Me In My Grave. All the fourteen songs on the
“Phillip is a very dominant front man playing electric guitar and delivering exceptionally strong vocals” album have been written by Phillip highlighting another strength. Towards the end of the album there are a couple of stripped back songs where you really appreciate Phillip’s vocal strengths when accompanied by just an acoustic guitar. This album is an excellent debut and is full of great songs with blues influences, the most positive note is that he is not trying to imitate B.B.King’s work but has created his own strong identity. ADRIAN BLACKLEE
CORDOVA BAY RECORDS Canadian David Vest has
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