Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: blues

  • I’ll Cry for Yours (Will You Cry for Mine) SINGLE

    I’ll Cry for Yours (Will You Cry for Mine) SINGLE

    I’ll Cry For Yours (Will You Cry For Mine), sung by award winning Country Folk vocalist Miko Marks, gives this heartbreaking set of lyrics penned by Alice Randall, a rich, deep, Blue’s feeling reminiscent of Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin.

    Sensual, and full of feeling this is a song that not only tells a story, but does it in a style which is synonymous with many of the African American singers as their music, their songs come from a place deep, deep within.

    Marks considers much of her music is sung to help heal, to reach out. With this particular song she achieves this with authenticity and a wonderfully soothing delivery, backed with some very, very nice instrumental’s as she shares a mothers grief for her dead son.

    I’ll Cry for Yours (Will You Cry For Mine) is a woman’s song, a song of grief, love and despair for the sons lost to society’s ills. It is one song, the words resonating, which will remain with you long after the last note has been delivered.

    I’ll Cry for Yours (Will You Cry for Mine) can also be enjoyed as a music video on YouTube “I’ll Cry For Yours” – Miko Marks ( Official Video) (youtube.com)

  • Brokenhearted Lopsided Blues

    Brokenhearted Lopsided Blues

    A single word, WOW sums up Brokenhearted Lopsided Blues, an up-tempo blast created by Michael Whalen on his beloved Synthesizers and accompanying instruments, with a bit of help from Tom Eaton on the mixing desk, in memory of his father Richard J Whalen, who loved it when he created Jazz with a definitive groove.

    Whalen, known for his more electronic, neo classical and complex arrangements and albums, simply cuts loose and free with this up tempo, pulsating collection of nine songs that are unashamedly feel good vibes, but if you don’t want to get into the groove, you can just rock quietly along in your chair.

     So Far From Home sets off the vibrant collection with a catchy Caribbean introduction that lifts the spirit and brings with it that amazingly vibrant atmosphere that permeates the music of the Caribbean.

    A fun song follows with Shorty’s in Love which reminds somewhat of the very measured sound of certain cartoon style shows of a long time ago with a catchy, crisp, modern overlay. A piece that makes you smile the entire time.

    Bringing out a mix of sounds from the Jazz era in electronic format, Brokenhearted Lopsided Blues is Whalen simply letting the groove, so to speak, take over and going with the flow.

    The Sweet, Sweet Rain is a song that somehow seems to have decided to join in with the Jazz beat as it has overtones of a previous, highly acclaimed album Imaginary Trains, delivering a sweeping sound that soothes and settles.

    Moving along a little, Cairo Blues is intriguing, captivating and pulsating. The sun descending, the call to prayers echoing, the heady sounds of the night calling those who enjoy the dark caverns; the shisha bar scents drifting out, filing the streets with exotic smells to delight the senses.  Exotic and sensual.

    Big Band has not been left wanting with All That You Dream, a robust and rich piece with a punchy vibe which, if you close your eyes and allow your mind to take you any place at all, you will return feeling energized.

    As a closing piece the reflective and perhaps more instrumental than Blues or Jazz, is the gorgeous piece A Million Miles from My Heart, which is filled with emotion, sound, memories and softness which makes a fitting finale to an absolutely outstanding collection of captured sound and energy.

    Brokenhearted Lopsided Blues is Whalen stretching his musical muscle, inviting everyone to enjoy a ‘jam’ session full of various styles which come together for a feel-good album to absolutely delight.  

    Brokenhearted Lopsided Blues is available for pre order from 6 February 2024 and is being released on 16 February 2024.

  • Brunswick Street Blues

    Brunswick Street Blues

    In October 2007, Brick Brown found a dead body. It wasn’t just any body, but the mayor, who was famous for his womanising and sleazy habits. The body was in the archive section of the Council. Brick had picked the lock to search the archives after work. At least that explained the very bad smell that had been filtering through the building for the last few days.

    So begins the very humorous and clever story Brunswick Street Blues which describes the back streets of Melbourne approximately sixteen years ago. Brick is a bartender at her uncle’s rather run-down place, but suspects that complaints and threats issued towards Baz, her uncle, have their roots in a developer wanting to build on that site. Hence Brick has won a job at the local Council Chambers to see if she can discover any applications that may affect the bar.

    Sally Bothroyd ‘s smart wit makes this a chuckle out loud book as she describes various characters, “He looked like a real-estate agent who had eaten too many pies.” When Brick and her journalist friend Sue go out to the pub, Sue who has three small children says, “I’d need Spakfilla to cover the bags under my eyes.” The two women and an assortment of unusual characters, including a war correspondent, begin to see a pattern in accidents and injuries to people who are critical in giving information.

    Brick has an unusual past and her devotion to Uncle Baz relates to his rescue of her as a little girl. Now as the pieces of the puzzle begin to emerge and answers to questions are found, Brick believes the only way to see justice served is to take matters into her own hands. She risks her life to find answers. But not without her friends helping (or hindering) her attempts.

  • Sign of the times

    Sign of the times

    Folk music is an interesting genre, as it can capture almost to perfection a lost love, celebrate a new one, record a phase of history in a unique and timeless way, or simply spread the word throughout society of things gone, to come or to celebrate as it has done since the days of traveling troubadours bringing with them the news of the day.

    Boxrattler ergo singer songwriter Tony Mawdesley, has created another lovely folk/blues/jazz style collection in  Sign of the Times, a work which has been coming together for a period of time, interrupted with moving countries and then the tragedy of COVID-19, which has, despite many challenges, born a album as enjoyable as it is indeed talking about a Sign of the Times.

    As the signature piece, Sign of the Times,  asks the question ‘will we ever be the same again………, all dressed up and nowhere to go’, which at the time of composition was perhaps more about a failing relationship, but ironically has captured almost to perfection the sad, frustrating and  ever changing landscape of society, 2020 style.

    The beautiful sentimental ballad Dare To Dream looks at hope, a fresh new dawn, different but the same. Some lovely guitar work is presented in this piece which is followed by the upbeat Fingers and Thumbs, looking at the beginning of a new romance and how a fresh new love often feels; romantic, a little scary and hopefully wonderful.

    Bopping along is The narcissist and the muse which is a rather introverted piece, clean, catchy with a set of interesting lyrics, looking the good and bad side of love and possession, laced with regret and a form of acceptance.

    Reminiscent of times past the bitter sweet One for the road, can be related to in so many ways; as a final drink before heading home, as a down at the heal pub which has seen its glory days but lives in hope to once again being glamorous, or as a place to go and forget ones sorrows in a glass of wine before moving on.

    Mawdesley has included some old favourites, The Undertakers Daughter and the rather funky Making Hay in this retrospective look at love in its many forms, and in so many ways, unwittingly, has captured the emotions of the times in which we now live; times in which we are all having to look at life, at love and a fresh new road leading to a future that is none too familiar.

    Sign of the Times is definitely a unique and fresh work to be enjoyed over and over again.

  • Dare To Dream

    Dare To Dream

    Many will know veteran singer songwriter and guitarist Tony Mawdesley from his many incarnations, that of Boxrattler, You and I, The Brendan Collins Band, Made By Machines and many other solo gigs throughout Florida and his earlier days in Britain.

    Returning to his native Britain, this talented musician has released his latest solo album Dare To Dream, in which he looks at life, simply as it is, the ups, downs and often sideways times that come whenever major change takes place.

    Commencing with the lovely piece Sign of The Times, a folk song offering a warm invitation to come in, spend a little time reflecting on times long gone and the lessons learned; the lyrics posing the timeless question “will we ever be the same again?”

    A delightful, mellow song Don’t Know Why, penned by Jesse Harris in 1999, covered by Norah Jones in 2002 has a gentle, reflective melody with introspective lyrics once again questioning; a piece which will resonate and interestingly, offers an unusual understanding of life and its many journeys.

    All of Me is a very personal cover of the song made famous by John Legend on his Love In The Future album released in 2013, raw, emotional and dedicated to love, pure, personal and often imperfect, whereas Starlight is a rather sombre song about breaking up, cutting loose, reflection and acceptance.

    Further into the album is the catchy Rent Man, a blues style piece which changes the pace, presenting a loose narrative common to modern ‘blues’ and when sung with Mawdesley’s slightly gritty style, is upbeat, catchy and toe tappingly enjoyable.

    The beautiful song Holding you up to the light, offers a very real set of lyrics in gratitude to making things all right, and how one person can create change by simply being themselves.

    A very wry piece is Don’t Make Me Laugh, a piece everyone can relate to at some time of their life, when ego gets the top billing and then the fall out needs to be dealt with, cleaned up and a result achieved. Wry indeed!

    Dare to Dream is the title track but also the final one, a piece in which the guitar work offers a gentle, all-encompassing element for a fresh new beginning, a beginning where the sun and rain have washed away the emotions of the past, to usher in a new beginning where you can Dare to Dream once again.

    Folk music at its very best, simple, clean and well-constructed, the fourteen tracks on Dare To Dream are emotive, interesting, cathartic and in spite of the sombre element, absolutely enjoyable, presenting a collection of both original scores and covers which will certainly be enjoyed time and time again.

  • Bluesilhouette – Looking For Utopia

    Bluesilhouette – Looking For Utopia

    A musician who composes from his balcony surrounded by and overlooking forest, ginger ale either at the ready or in hand, a self-proclaimed ‘stuffy academic’, David Peoples creates music that is rich, intriguing, segues fluently from jazz, to contemporary instrumental, World fusion and New Age; therefore, it is not at all surprising that Looking For Utopia is a real box of treasures from beginning to end.

    Commencing with the almost formal The Valley Of Hidden Treasures the work introduces the collection with the blending of ‘cello, flute, piano and percussion to put the listener on notice that what is to come is going to be delightful and intriguing, and it is!

    Peach Blossom Spring follows with a very definite jazz flavour, perfect as a contrast with a lovely electronic twist at the end of the song.

    The signature piece Looking for Utopia is a change of direction once again with a measured introduction, sombre in reflection, almost a searching, haunting melody, spacy and ethereal in parts, strong and definite in others, with a gentle influence identified with clear, precise notes of piano to change the tempo.

    Clear sharp notes of the piano, interspersed with the deep notes of the ‘cello, delicately played, bring Glass Flower City to life before the ‘cello takes over becoming the main instrument, which is then joined with a wonderful percussion backing, all of which continue to weave their magic throughout the song. A gloriously different piece in a collection of surprising melodies. Perhaps this is Utopia found!

    Peoples describes his music as ‘unique, telling a story written in narrative poetry, using free verse with musicians’ notes telling the story’, which is exactly what occurs as each of the songs unfolds. Inside the album cover is the poetry in word format that offers the journey when seeking Utopia, and the treasures found on the way, perhaps the most important aspect of all.

    Completing this musical poetry is Take Me To Elysian Fields, a lovely, up-tempo piece introduced with a catchy drum beat, making way for some very strong piano, electronic backing creating a spacy, otherworldly atmosphere which builds to a crescendo before relaxing into the final few bass notes.

    As a change of direction from his traditional and experimental music, Bluesilhouettes aka David Peoples with Looking For Utopia has created a wonderful, composite of musical poetry evolving into  a lovely easy listening album, which will be enjoyed time and time again by a wide audience.

  • You’re the One

    You’re the One

    You’re The One is a lovely, light and most enjoyable solo piano album from beginning to end presenting nothing more than a man sitting at his piano crafting out an album, setting off in one direction, which somehow changed into a tribute to love; the dark, the light all aspects which are love and the pure enjoyment of the way love effects people.

    Brian Hagen has blended an album of original compositions with those from the Masters such as Burgmuller, Mendelssohn, Bruckner and Beethoven amongst others, to create the perfect listening album for any time, season or reason.

    You’re The One is a lovely upbeat piece to introduce the work, which is immediately followed with By The Limpid Stream composed by Fredrick Burgmuller, a piece not as well known as Nocturne from Alexander Borodin, which is the third track, but absolutely enjoyable in its refreshingly gentle composition.

    An unexpected blues piece Lonesome Road, changes the tempo completely and adds a totally different texture to the collection which fits the concept perfectly, as it is devoted to love and all the myriad of emotion that create love.

    A gleeful little piece bounces into the mix in Afternoon Waltz, a piece which brings with it joy and fun in four, four time with the reflective, gentle and emotive Let it Flow following along in a complimentary style.

    Autumn Afternoon Homecoming is a reflective composition full of highs and lows, ably depicting the range of emotions often felt when coming home, family and friends present and their binding, unconditional love, especially felt after a long absence.

    Schumann’s lovely up-tempo Kleine Studie changes the pace once again which leads into the final piece Sunflower, a catchy little jazz composition which concludes the album on a happy, light and thoroughly enjoyable note.

    With You’re The One displays Hagen’s him immense expertise across a range of genres, as he slides effortlessly from classical into jazz and blues metres, crafting musical inspiration where something magical, lovely and beautiful has evolved.

    Great fun and such very enjoyable easy listening.

  • Follow Your Heart

    Follow Your Heart

    A little soul, a touch of delicate jazz notes, the smoky vibe of a late-night bar in the wee small hours, drift into the atmosphere on this re-release of Eric Bikales fourth Album, Follow Your Heart.

    As a musician he has walked along many musical pathways, from classical, when as a young boy of 6 years he could pick out Ravel’s Bolero by ear, on the family piano. Mastering the flute came next, but discovering jazz, pop and rock-and -roll while a young student, saw him change directions away from a beckoning carer in medicine, to one which has now spaned several decades and disciplines of Music

    In this deliciously tempting album he has created pieces which appear to have followed his heart in every sense of the words, as each is a slightly different style; from the gentle jazzy blues introduction on Clockwork moving along to the title piece Follow Your Heart, a more measured and contemporary piece which is somewhat reflective.

    The Meeting rustles the memory offering reminders of TV shows of times long gone, a field he worked in for many years, creating orchestration for many of the prime Television series and popular shows of the day.

    A quirky little piece is Mysterier which combines a little of this and a little more of that, to present Bikales sitting at his piano allowing the many tantalising melodies and rhythms to find their own way across the keys, creating a pleasing melody that captivates with its charm.

    A more classical element is introduced with Miles To Go. The snappy, formal and distinct notes are presented with precision, the highs and lows of a journey, any journey, easily distinguishable and when followed with the catchy Franklin Jubilee, presents a truly fun and captivating sojourn into the world of contemporary New Age music, adding a hippy jazz beat amongst the funkier and more formal grooves.

    Winding up this more than enjoyable collection of very impressive pieces is the tender and reflective piece The Saint– a piece as far from the introductory tracks of the famous British TV series of the 1960’s, as is possible. Soft, gentle and  charming this makes the perfect ending for an absolutely enjoyable musical voyage courtesy of Eric Bikales.