Tag Archives: Joanne Shaw Taylor

Joanne Shaw Taylor, Songs From The Road. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Joanne Shaw Taylor simply has nothing to prove, with a simple guitar riff and sultry voice she shows why she’s not just the cream of the Midland’s Blues scene but also one of the finest exponents of the craft this side or any side of the Atlantic Ocean. From her previous scintillating album, Almost Always Never to her first live recording, Songs From The Road, and throughout her career she has made the very most of what she has to offer the wider music world and the outcome has always been nothing short of fantastic.

Joanne Shaw Taylor, Songs From The Road. Album Review. full post

(439 words, estimated 1:45 mins reading time)

Sandi Thom, Gig Review. Eric’s Liverpool.

Sandi Thom, Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Sandi Thom started the summer going for great British blues musicianship with her extraordinary album Flesh and Blood and where she led, others have followed and produced stunning works of art. So much so that to keep ahead of the likes of Beverley McClennan and Joanne Shaw Taylor, her live set has had to be something exceptional and at Eric’s in Liverpool she delivered.

Sandi Thom, Gig Review. Eric’s Liverpool. full post

(410 words, 1 image, estimated 1:38 mins reading time)

Simon McBride, Crossing the Line. Album Review.

This year has seen some incredible blues albums being released and the vast majority of them by women. This is not only great news to see the likes of Beverly McClellan, Beth Hart, Bonnie Raitt and Joanne Shaw Taylor take on the men at their own game but it also sees the new men of Blues raise their standards.

In a similar fashion the punk explosion of the 1970’s that musically threatened the old established figures , what is coming through is exciting and new and whilst led by Joe Bonamassa and some of the older guard like Robert Cray are still the Gods that every one aspires to become. This is no less true in the case of the exceptional Belfast Blues man Simon McBride.

Simon McBride, Crossing the Line. Album Review. full post

(370 words, 1 image, estimated 1:29 mins reading time)

Beverly McClellan, Fear Nothing. Album Review.

Fear Nothing could just be an outstanding metaphor for Beverly McClellan’s life; the fact that she uses this inspiration as the title of her international debut album release shows not only how much she believes in her own mantra but also in the music that she has recorded.

American television programme The Voice may have given her national exposure but this is one woman whose work stretches back long before breaking a countrywide conscious with her very intelligent music and raw power in her sensual and honest bluesy voice.

Beverly McClellan, Fear Nothing. Album Review. full post

(409 words, 1 image, estimated 1:38 mins reading time)

Beth Hart, Bang Bang Boom Boom. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

It cannot just be by chance that music producer Kevin Shirley aligns himself with some of the most fascinating and brilliant people within modern blues and they don’t come much more fantastic than Beth Hart or her new album Bang Bang Boom Boom.

Following on from her collaboration with the man who makes blues seem effortless and instinctive, Joe Bonamassa, for the 2011 album Don’t Explain and her simply stunning album, 2010’s My California, Ms. Hart has once more come up with songs that are musically strong and reveal another layer to her virtuoso performances both as writer of intense feeling and also as a vocalist. Her intonation and deep desire in her voice gets underneath your skin and tugs at every resistance you may possess until you give over to her demands.

Beth Hart, Bang Bang Boom Boom. Album Review. full post

(416 words, 1 image, estimated 1:40 mins reading time)

Joanne Shaw Taylor, Almost Always Never. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 14th 2012.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

If any proof were needed that you don’t have to have been born in America, be past the age of 30, nor have been born male to understand or more importantly feel how the blues can be played, audiences need look no further than Midlands raised Joanne Shaw Taylor and her incredible new album, Almost Always Never.

Joanne Shaw Taylor, Almost Always Never. Album Review. full post

(466 words, 1 image, estimated 1:52 mins reading time)