Comprehensive Crazy Cavan and
John Mayall boxsets rub shoulders with
an emotive new release from Laura B...
REVIEWS BY STEVE HARNELL,
CRAIG BRACKENRIDGE & JOHN HOWARDLaura B And Her Band
JUST A LITTLE LOVE
SHACK RECORDS
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Facing each other down in the studio to recreate that old-school 50s
R&B recording vibe has certainly paid dividends on this exciting new
collection from Laura B And Her Band. Laid down in just two days at
Shack Studio in Essex, Laura B’s well-drilled seven-piece outfi t
(plus special guests Snowboy on percussion and backing vocalists
The Reyfordaires) provide stellar support to her feisty vocals. Opener
Gambling Man boasts terrifi c whomping baritone sax from Lee
Badau and trumpet stabs from Barry Few, plus a tasty guitar solo
from Chris Corcoran. Gonna Find Me A Good Man – an impassioned,
attitude-packed tale of a wronged woman – is just one of many
showcases for Laura B’s wonderfully committed vocals and
songwriting talents. The band add real fi repower to a cover of Dinah
Washington’s A Rockin’ Good Way and there’s a deft change of pace
for the Latin and jazz-blues feel of delicate ballad Don’t Do Me No
Wrong. Corcoran’s lead guitar licks also shine on B.B. King cover
Just A Little Love, which also benefi ts from another attractively gritty
bluesy vocal. Meanwhile, Badau and Few add an almost ska fl avour
to the standout gospel tune Let The Lord Have Access To Your Heart.
There’s a lovely horn-driven swing to I Never Missed My Baby and
Steve Croft supplies a
rocking piano solo on
Love And Treat You Right.
Authentically gritty R&B,
heartfelt balladry and
a bucketful of attitude,
belying its title, it feels like
a whole lot of love has gone
into these dozen fi ne cuts.
Steve Harnell
Johnny Earl
WHERE YOU BEEN
ROCKIN’ TONIGHT?
SUN RECORDS THE CONCERT
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A self-penned title track opens this
collection with a bang, and it
sounds like it could have been the
follow-up to Elvis’ Baby Let’s Play
House. Instead, this sparse
rockabilly workout with great slap
bass from John O’Malley is an
answer record to Good Rocking
Tonight. It’s among 14 tracks from
this British rocker, who started as an
Elvis tribute but has grown into a
great songwriter. Other standouts
include Don’t Lay The Blues On Me
and The Jukebox Has Taken Over
This Town. John HowardVarious Artists
VALENTINE’S DAY – 29 TRIBUTES
TO LOVE & PASSION
BEAR FAMILY
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If you’re planning to go all
mushy this Valentine’s Day then you
might as well do it in style as Bear
Family unleash over an hour’s
worth of love-themed rock’n’roll,
jazz and country from between
1936 and 1964 with this latest
compilation. It’s a fairly smooth
and smoochy selection that
features big names such as Guy
Mitchell, The Skyliners and Etta
James snuggling up against
lesser-known acts such as The
Violents, The Aquatones and The
Channels. This compilation is also
the latest instalment of the label’s
collectable Seasons series, which
has already featured collections
focused on Easter, summer,
Halloween and Christmas. CBClarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown
ROCKS
BEAR FAMILY
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These 29 bluesy howlers have been
compiled in a good-looking gatefold
digipak sleeve, along with a hefty
36-page booklet penned by Vintage
Rock’s Bill Dahl. The selected tracks
represent many of the wildest,
up-tempo electric guitar creations
from the Texan bluesman, all lifted
from the back catalogues of Aladdin
and Peacock Records. Intriguing
go-go instrumental Slop Time is the
highlight, along with rousing shack
shakers in the form of Okie Dokie
Stomp, Gatemouth Boogie and
Midnight Hour, but this is generally
a selection that’s best enjoyed in
its entirety. CB+++++
EXCELLENT
++++VE
RY^ GOOD
+++AVE
RAGE
++PATCHY
+POOR