BLUES WITH A FEELING

I'm a big fan of Steve Hackett but I only got this album recently because I did not think it's gonna be a great blues if it's played by progger, especially Steve Hackett. Don't get me wrong, I love blues music very much but more on what my friends down here at my country call it as "White Blues" instead of "Black Blues" usually played by John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, etc. I have almost all albums of John Mayall and The Bluesbreaker, also some albums of Eric Clapton, Edgar Winter, Johny Winter, Keef Hartley Band, Climax Blues Band, Living blues, Cuby + The Blizards, etc. Some Black blues I like include BB King, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy and other Black blues musicians like Son Seals, Johny Heartsman, Fenton Robinson, etc.

Why The Blues? Why a cry in the night? Can the Whites? Whatever did happen at Eel Pie Island? BB says "Anyone who ever lost a woman" can play the (definite article) blues! . That's how Mr. Hackett opens his views on the CD sleeve. Through this album he proves to be an excellent blues musician with his unique style because he does not change his guitar sound except that he plays blues notes and chords. That has made this album so attractive because you can hear typical Steve Hackett guitar sound but this time with an intense blues nuance.

One thing that really triggered me to buy this CD was the assumption that Hackett played excellent blues through his song "Turn Back Time" from "Cured" album. Even though it's not the same but this album is a good thread for those who enjoy blues and Hackett guitar style. All tracks featured here are excellent ones starting with relatively fast tempo "Born In Chicago" (Gravenites) right away through to "Solid Ground" (Hackett, Sinclair, Collbeck and Degenhardt). When he sings "So Many Roads" (Marshall), it sounds like a vocal quality of John Mayall. Drumming by Degenhardt is also an excellent and energetic one.

As the title implies, this is not a prog album. Instead, this CD offers excellent blues music, played with Hackettian guitar plus harmonica. As far as rating, this is an excellent album. For those of you who enjoy Hackett's guitar style and blues, this album is a must. Keep on proggin'..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW