Album Review: “Northern Flame” – Emma Johnson’s Gravy Boat. Words: Sammy Stein.

Northern Flame by Emma Johnson's Gravy Boat Emma Johnson’s Gravy Boat comprises Emma Johnson on tenor saxophone, Fergus Vickers on electric guitar, Richard Jones on piano, Angus Milne on double bass, and Steve Hanley on drums. This collective is fast achieving recognition as one of the most innovative and diverse collectives around. I discovered Johnson …

Single Review: “Shelf-Life” Marie Keane

Let there be horns! This comes in high and fast, Marie’s new single just comes in full whack! The drummer brings out the brushes, and leads the song through with stops and starts. The organ that comes in calls to mind country blues. Marie brings that soul, singing about someone living that single life but …

Single Review: “Hold The Weight” – Rosie Frater-Taylor

This is a stunning piece of soul and blues….  It starts off with an acoustic guitar in the intro but then it’s joined by Rosie’s electric guitar….  BOY can she play! WOW!!! I’ve been a fan from way back but this is taking it to another level. The chord changes are straight out of a …

Single Review: “Brother Chumbo” – Kontiki

Years ago I knew a kid in my neighbourhood called Chumbo. His family were from North Africa. I’m not sure exactly where. He was a bright kid, loved his football, and always had a big smile. When he moved, his friends around him were so sad, I never saw him again, and nothing on the …

Album Review: “Delta Breakdown” The Heavy North.

Grumble grumble… Liverpool…. grumble grumble… Talent from drinking the water of the river mersey. Grumble… Annoyingly good songs.  Grumble.  Oh hey!  So…. My boys from Liverpool The Heavy North dropped their new album. And guess what?  It’s bloody brilliant.  This for me takes over from where their debut album left off, it’s bluesy as hell, …

Song Review: “She Moves” – Carrie Grant

Carrie Grant released her album today, and this is the third track in the running order. I have not been able to progress past this one. It’s a piano based ballad, with strings and a strong backdrop of harmonies that are hinted at but it only appears once just leaving space for Carrie to do …