Reviews roundup – Scott Ellison vs. Jess and the Bandits vs. Steve Hill

Reviews roundup – Scott Ellison vs. Jess and the Bandits vs. Steve Hill

SCOTT ELLISON
Good Morning Midnight
Red Parlor

Given recent upheavals (to put it mildly) I’ve been listening to a lot of blues so the arrival of this record propelled it near the top of the listening pile.

I’ve really enjoyed his last couple of releases and it’s safe to say that this one more than matches his previous albums. He likes to mix up his blues with some soul and jazz, the former because it suits his voice and the latter just because he can, but it all lends itself to some fine songs which will be on repeat play for a long time. A lot of the songs are in collaboration with co-producer and pianist Walt Richmond and they really do know how to present a song well.

He can rock with the best of them as he shows on the opening ‘Sanctified’, he gets his jazz swing on with the instrumental and horn drenched ‘Wheelhouse’ and goes to Chicago on the title track. There is only one misstep on the unfortunate ‘Hope And Faith’ but that’s why the skip button was invented. Another excellent release from Mr Ellison and one that blues fans would do well to check out.

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JESS AND THE BANDITS
I’m Not Going Home
After Midnight Girl

A country rock single next with the latest sound from Anglo American outfit Jess and The Bandits, and it’s a very enjoyable one.

I’m slightly surprised that JATBs haven’t made more of a breakthrough yet what with C2C and the upswing in the popularity of modern country here in the UK. They’ve certainly got the songs and the chops so hopefully this will give them a nudge in the right direction. It’s well written nd played with a catchy chorus which their fans should make their own on their forthcoming tour. It’s certainly the kind of song that would go down well with a wider country audience so fingers crossed they get to hear and enjoy it.

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STEVE HILL
Solo Recordings Volume 3
No Label Records

Well if you’re going to re-release a record, make it a good one. And there’s no doubt this is a goody which is coming out to tie in with his forthcoming tour with Wishbone Ash. So here we go again.

How do you fancy a one man band from the Canadian colonies? You do! Well, you’re in luck, because here comes Steve Hill.

Now, I’m not an expert, because this is my first encounter with Mr Hill, but I suspect he’s had a couple of albums out before this one. It’s also worth noting that he’s no novelty band, so don’t expect cymbals strapped to his knees and a rousing chorus of ‘My Old Man’s A Dustman’ (boo). Nope, he’s a proper musician, who specialises in blues and roots, bordering on Americana.

There is also some blues rock in there.as the likes of the opening ‘Damned’ will attest, and he can knock out a soulful slow blues – see ‘Still A Fool & A Rollin Stone’. I’m less keen on the folky side such as ‘Slowly Slipping Away’, but there is no doubting that Mr Hill has talent in spades.

A proper solo record, this is most definitely worth a listen.

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