Emily Druce's first two solo albums helped to establish her reputation as a
very fine acoustic blues act. On both albums she occasionally drafted in
extra musicians to bolster the sound. For her third album, "Songs From The
Silver Band Room", though, the playing and singing duties are shared more
equitably with Steve Jones (with a little help from others too).
The album opens in fairly low key with the country stylings of "Let's Walk
Out", the first of eight Druce/Jones originals, with some nice slide guitar
work. Druce has always been much more than just a blues act, and the
partnership with Jones has broadened things still further. So in addition
to country and blues, there are also elements of gospel, cajun, and folk.
The first slice of gospel is "Keep Your Lamp (Trimmed and Burning)" which
has some great shared call and response vocals. Honley Silver Band--the
silver band in the album's title--later join the duo for "Burden Down" to
add a melancholic air that works really well. They also reprise this tune
to have the last word on the album.
There is plenty of blues to enjoy too, starting with the late night bar
room blues of "Still Called It Home" featuring some excellent piano from
Charlie Giordano. The duo also ramp up the tempo for the guitar boogie of
"Howler" with some very fine slide guitar. The album also closes out with a
trio of blues covers, culminating in an excellent rendition of Champion
Jack Dupree's "Bring Me Flowers".
The musical chemistry between Druce and Jones is, at times, reminiscent of
that between Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. The material is more blues
based, however, and Druce and Jones have managed to recapture the feel that
characterised the 1960's folk blues boom. This is a refreshing change,
which makes "Songs From The Silver Band Room" a fine album that gets even
better with repeated plays.
www.emilydruce.co.uk
Buy this CD NOW:
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
"This review is copyright © 2004 by Gordon Baxter, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without permission."
Copyright reuse notice: If you would like to reprint or use this review please include the above copyright notice, contained within the quotation marks, PLUS this statement: "Used with permission." Then send an email to Ray at: mnblues@aol.com indicating how you are using the review or the website page address it will be appearing on. Thanks!
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
Click on this banner to get you new low percent credit card:
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! You can help support this blues website by making a contribution (click on the banner below for details).
Or mail a donation to: Ray Stiles % Blues On Stage, PO Box 582983, Mpls, MN 55458. Thanks!
Web Hosting & Design:
CLICK HERE for Web Design SPECIAL, get your own website for just $75.
The most affordable web hosting and design services available. Click Here
to find out how you can host your current site at Blues On Stage, or how I can help you design your own website!
If you would like your CD reviewed, please send TWO (2) copies, along with promotional material to:
Blues On Stage
PO Box 582983
Minneapolis, MN 55458-2983
E-mail Ray Stiles @ mnblues@aol.com with any questions.
We build websites