Blues In Hand
Sweetspot, 2025
9/10
The legendary blues artist Al Basile returns with a 21st album, where an excellent band and some familiar guests join him for the 13 timeless tracks.
“All Your Lies” starts the listen with Basile’s inimitable voice alongside Bruce Bears’ playful keys and Jeff ‘Doc’ Chanonhouse’s rich trumpet, and “Blues Is My Roommate” follows with a soulful quality via the skilled cornet from Basile amid Mark Teixeria’s scrappy drums.
Closer to the middle, “Good Friend” showcases Kid Andersen’s meticulous guitar licks plus the frisky drums and Basile’s authentic pipes, while “Ain’t What You Say” benefits from Brad Hallen’s upbeat bass lines and Jhett Black’s flowing guitar.
Further still, the heartfelt “My Dearest Dream” is a more intimate moment of textured and timeless blues, and “When You Lose Your Money” exits with grooves, melody and animated brass that complements Basile’s inviting voice.
This is one of Basile’s most personal records to date, and the top notch players illuminate his cornet solos, as he continues to pen some of the best modern blues out there.
Travels well with: Al Basile- Through With Cool; Al Basile- B’s Testimony