Bradley lays his cards on the table right from the off, with "You Will Be My No. 1." If acoustic blues, heavy on the slide, is what you like, then you have come to the right place. The most apparent influences here are people like Son House and Robert Johnson, all imparted with the spirit and originality that characterized much of the great British folk-blues players from the 1960's such as Bert Jansch, John Renbourn and Davy Graham. This view is supported by the ensuing "4 A.M." which chugs along nicely, and hints at Bob Dylan (although the harp is a lot beefier), as does "Achin' Heart Blues."

All of the tracks on "Dirty Blues..." are Bradley originals. There is plenty of good stuff here to choose from, although it has to be said that the vast majority is steeped in the more melancholy side of the blues. Nevertheless, it is all played and sung very well. The talkover that is used on the darkly brooding "The Dirty Blues (Part 1)" is a bit distracting, however.

The album rounds off with "The Last Train Home," a song that should give many people pause for thought. It tells a tale about one of the people who live out on the streets in all weathers, and is obviously suffering. There is then a gap of well over two minutes before an unlisted ("hidden") track turns up. When this device was first used it was perceived as clever or cute; nowadays it is little more than an irritant.

"Dirty Blues & The Last Train Home" is a fine album from a new name. It demonstrates that Faul Bradley can play and sing, and is capable of writing good tunes (even if they are not all a bundle of laughs). "Dirty Blues..." would be a welcome addition to the collections of anyone with an interest in folk-blues.

www.reverentialrecords.co.uk

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