John
O’Leary Band – Two For The Show
Trapeze
(2CD)(TRDCD3501)
This
is an interesting concept. John is re-releasing here his 2004 studio
album “Sins”, twinned with a live set recorded two years later.
It’s a beautifully crafted package, with an informative booklet,
and the two sets certainly complement each other. “Sins” was
originally self-released, and presumably made little impact. On first
listening it sounds well worth a re-release with proper distribution.
It’s a fine, funky, modern blues album, recorded with care and
played by some seriously capable musicians, John’s gigging band of
the time. Although “Sins” is virtually a home-made effort –
some parts were recorded in guitarist Jules Fothergill’s kitchen -
the sound quality is clean, dynamic and satisfying.
Although
the beginnings of John’s long and distinguished career lie at the
start of the 60s British blues boom, he
has cleverly surrounded himself with younger musicians to keep his
sound fresh and alive – and that’s just how this album sounds.
He has a peerless rhythm section of Dave Hadley Ray on bass, and
fearsomely metronomic (yet still soulful) drummer Joachim Greve.
Belgian Dominique Vantomme fills out on keys, but dominating the
overall sound is the sublime guitar playing of the aforementioned
Jules Fothergill, who also takes a hand in songwriting and
production. And on top of it all John O’Leary’s powerful
harmonica and vocals, with hints of that endearing trademark Irish
brogue, like overtones in an old whiskey.
The
album kicks off with a couple of staples from John’s live set –
Early In the Morning and Snatch it Back, both from the repertoire of
O’Leary mentor Junior Wells. Then we get I’m Tired,
which dates back to John’s time with the Savoy Brown Blues Band,
and features a guest vocal from Dave Walker, onetime singer with that
seminal blues-boom band. The song is updated and livened by an
insistent guitar riff from Jules Fothergill.
Then
things start getting interesting with the freshly-penned material.
There are a couple of gospel-theme numbers – Blue Water and Save My
Soul - with powerful backing vocals from Lorna Reilly (now
Fothergill... yes she married the guitarist!) and Rietta Austin.
Most of the new tunes make a welcome
departure from the 12-bar blues format, and move into soul-funk
territory, a genre which ideally suits this young, energetic band.
John
is a generous man who does not hog the limelight, and he gives the
band an instrumental number to stretch out on – And Everything, a
funk workout for the boys. A second funk instrumental, the
intriguingly-titled Chiswick Roundabout, provides a solid bed for
some blistering yet quite melodic O’Leary harmonica.
The
accompanying disc is a live recording of a 2006 gig at Mr. Kyp’s
in Poole, Dorset, and provides a chance to hear John O’Leary’s
more traditional live set but in the
same context of a young, funky band.
It’s a perfect combination – a seasoned, mature musician with
fresh, modern backing. The whole serves as a fine testament to a
stalwart of the British blues scene.
Rating:
8 – Dave Dix
