"Everlasting Blues" is the fourth disc from Sweden's Blues Down Town, marking the twentieth anniversary since the band first came together. Not surprisingly, there have been a few personnel changes over the years, and a period or two of relative inactivity. And given Sweden's relatively small size and tightly-knit blues scene, it's also no surprise that Blues Down Town have made a few friends over the years, a few of whom drop by the lend support here.
But while most readers won't recognize the names, the parties involved have delivered a platter that can stand up quite well indeed to virtually any of the many bands mining the retro 50's Chicago-by-way-of-west-coast sound these days. (And there are, let's face it, a lot).
Which means front man Thomas Grahn, responsible for harp and vocals, leads his four-piece backing band through a generous sixteen-song collection that features two from Little and one from Big Walter (Grahn acquits himself admirably) and a handful of originals. Also included are one from Fenton Robinson (the rhumba-flavoured "Tenessee Woman" that opens the disc) and a bonus pair of live cuts (Muddy's "Sail On" and a lively "Further Up The Road") that bring things to a close.
These gentlemen have clearly done their homework, and over the years have honed their craft to a razor-sharp edge. The tone is gloriously fat, with lots of reverb and natural echo, but the playing is anything but. All concerned understand the value of understatement, and performances are invariably lean and economical. Grahn sings with power and assurance, his accent only getting in the way on occasion, and never to the point of distraction. There's some stellar guitar playing, and both horns and piano are used here and there to excellent effect. (Frederik "Mighty Fred" Gustafsson is exemplary on piano, comping furiously in the background). And the rhythm section chugs along like the proverbial freight train, as sturdy and as steady, yet with just that touch of loose relaxation, as the best around.
In short, this one's a winner all the way. It's tough stuff, just as it ought to be, with lots of distorted menace. But it swings like mad, too. Taken, in total, from five different sessions, "Blues Everlasting" shows care, craft and intelligence. But more than anything - the only thing, really, that matters - this disc is the blues as the blues was meant to be. Raw and real, dark and liberating. It's wonderful stuff.
Well done, Blues Down Town!!! Highly recommended!
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E-Mail: blues@ceepeeveerecords.se
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