The Blues Album
Keeping The Blues Alive, 2021
9/10
The UK blues rocker Joanne Shaw Taylor places herself in some exceptional company on this 5th album, where Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith handle production duties and also play on the record.
“Stop Messin’ Round” starts the listen with Taylor’s soaring guitars and gritty pipes populating the rhythmic and timeless blues rocker, and “If That Ain’t A Reason” follows with Taylor’s powerful pipes surrounded by a dynamic rhythm section, soulful backing vocals and well timed brass.
Further down the line, “Don’t Go Away Mad” shuffles with a playful energy that’ll get your body moving, and features the always impressive Bonamassa complementing Taylor’s fluid singing, while “Can’t You See What You’re Doing To Me” displays the intricate guitar work amid moody keys and bouncy bass lines. “Two Time My Lovin’” is then full of rugged melodies and a sing-along quality that is so well done, it alone is worth the price of admission.
Close to the end, Mike Farris makes an appearance on the expressive balladry of “I Don’t Know What You’ve Got”, and “Three Time Loser” exits the listen on a lively romper, where firm piano, thumping drums, meticulous guitar and Taylor’s infectious singing finishes just as strong as she started.
Still a youngster compared to her peers, Taylor’s unparalleled guitar playing and incredible pipes make every interpretation here exceptional, and the help she takes from Reese Wynans (keyboards), Greg Morrow (drums), Steve Mackey (bass), Steve Patrick (trumpet), Mark Douthit (sax) and Barry Green (trombone) make The Blues Album a must for fans of anything resembling the blues.
Travels well with: Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band- Straight To You Live; Joe Bonamassa- Now Serving: Royal Tea Live From The Ryman