Blues Is Still Alive
VizzTone, 2025
10/10
Listen to Blues Is Still Alive
The powerful harmonica player and vocalist Will Wilde is going to turn a lot of heads his way with these 10 songs, where his excellent band and some well known guests are along for the ride.
The title track leads with Wilde’s soaring harmonica and expressive pipes alongside Steve Rushton’s sturdy drums and Walter Trout’s inimitable guitar chops, and “Wild Man” follows with an infectious energy thanks to the frisky harmonica, Greg Coulson’s animated keys and Wilde’s booming pipes.
Landing at the halfway point is the quick and dynamic “Trouble Of That Girl”, which makes great use of Bobby Harrison’s driving guitar amid Wilde’s raw singing, while “Stole My Love” tugs on the heartstrings via the soft harmonica and Russell Carr’s well timed bass.
Arriving close to the end, “Broken Dream Blues” is full of heartbreak and despair that showcases Wilde’s inimitable approach to the blues, and “Don’t Trust Me” exits with an exciting and rowdy rocker that’s as dance floor ready just as it could soundtrack a bar room brawl.
Wilde’s vision run parallel to legends like Gary Moore or Jeff Healey, and this first rate record will be sure to make anyone with an ear for the blues an unwavering fan.
Travels well with: Ben Levin- A Holiday Blues Revue; Amanda Fish- Kingdom