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Andy Lee And The Blue Cats
The Right Stuff
No Lable No catalogue number
Andy
and his bass player Mark McLaughlin have written eleven songs for this album.
At just over three-quarters of an hour this is refreshing stuff
from an outfit with no label but a sponsorship from Suzuki Harmonicas for
Andy's admirable harp playing.
Mark, together with Andy Sear on drums (since
replaced by Dave Terry) nail down reliable but unstifling rhythms. That
is the base on which less obvious lyrics with a degree of humour and Andy's
harp work are laid.
This is augmented
by Howard Norman on guitar who inventively gets busy yet remains unobtrusive
throughout. This is good British Rhythm & Blues that is well paced from
a group who are not just another band from Essex.
Rating: 8 - Frank Franklin
|
Andy Lee is the harmonica player / vocalist in this outfit and the last time I heard him play ( at the Fusilier & Firkin in Camden ) they were a Blues Cover Band, - not now though, all eleven tracks here are written by him and Mark McLaughlin (the bass player), and the band are sponsored by SUZUKI HARMONICAS. The drummer is Andy Sear and the guitar player is Howard Norman.
Crazy Little Lady : This came as a big surprise, as when I last saw Andy his set was very much influenced by the Fab T- Birds, whereas this opener is a very clean , early Muddy Waters crossed with rockabilly. The sound is similar to Ben Tyzack’s & the Spike drivers, and there is some very nice playing in evidence. He's a very fluent Harp Player.
My Coat : A strong, bluesy guitar intro - Jimmy Rogers / Robert Junior Lockwood style, and the vocals high above. Rather a clever song about a coat, with symbolic links with insulation and such.
The Right Stuff : Ooh! - light and funky, a modern blues this. Good vocals more in the Kim Wilson / Darrell Nulisch / Sugar Ray style - a little further back this time.
Burns My Dinner : A great guitar opening this - reminded me of a Red Archibald track, this guy s certainly a very versatile player. It’s a good song this, - a kind of "Sick and Tired" with amusing lyrics, and the band sing along as well - a kind of call and response effort, ( some of the old US bands in the forties and fifties did this sort of thing all the time! ) It’s a good song and there are some fine players behind Andy.
Won’t Have You Talkin : This has a very atmospheric and skillful opening from bass and guitar on this Coaster type number.
Mr Devil : A slow blues with very nice harp and strong guitar playing.
A lot of very fine guitar on this album and I'm impressed by the lyrics - Andy and Mark have taken a big step forward by writing their own songs. You can get a lot of variety on this CD, although I would have liked a little more of Andy’s quality harmonica playing.
PETER BOULTER - INDIE BLUES MAGAZINE
