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Crosscut Saw (Demo CD) This Leeds based seven piece have been around for about three years although the current line-up of Alex Eden, vcl/gtr/hcs; Robert Simpson, gtr; Hugh Bradley, bs; Richard Ferdinando, dms; Atholl Ransome, sax; Malcom Strachan, tpt; Joe Tatum, keys; has only been together for a few months. The style is modern Chicago influenced Blues complete with horn section. The CD has five tracks, all recorded in one evening back in October of last year. Guitar Slim's mid-paced "Letter to my girlfriend" has some nice walking bass piano figures and features sax and guitar breaks. Otis Grand's "Common Sense" has a good funky rhythm and a good guitar and trumpet solos. The original "24-7" is a guitar led solo blues and also features the organ. The final two tracks are covers of Wells' "Messing with the kid" and Walter Horton's "Everybody's Fishin". The first is a good punchy version and the second is in a more classic Chicago style with Tatum's piano work reminiscent of Spann and Sunnyland Slim. This band has a big fat sound thanks to the tight and punchy horn section. The vocals struck me as a little hoarse at times but other than that a good all round performance. Modern mainly Chicago styled but definitely more blues than rock-blues. Worth you Leeds area members searching out and going to see. Rating: 7 Jim Greaves Blueprint - The Magazine of the British Blues Connection July 99 Volume 2/ Issue 25 |