music review

Live Review: Joe Bonamassa, Leeds, 24th Oct 2015

/ James Fenney

JB3

Blues virtuoso Joe Bonamassa is one of the hardest working people in music. He was the opening act for the legendary BB King when he was only thirteen years old. He releases a new album nearly every year, the majority of which have gone straight to number one in the Billboard Blues charts. Influenced by Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Rory Gallagher and Paul Kossoff, he consistently keeps the spirit of old school blues alive and kicking. Thankfully he took time out of his busy schedule to pay Leeds a visit. Continue reading →

Spotlight!: Dan Owen

/ James Fenney

dan owen

With a gritty voice reminiscent of a young John Fogerty, Shrewsbury bluesman Dan Owen immediately captures your attention. His rendition of the blues standard ‘Little Red Rooster’ sounds unnatural coming from someone so young, like he’s the reincarnation of some whisky-soaked troubadour from the Mississippi Delta. His raw and rustic voice is suited not only to the furious foot-stompers, but also to the softer ballads. Tracks like ‘Splinter’ and ‘Riding Out This Storm’ are full of emotion and relentlessly tug at your heartstrings. He already has Mick Fleetwood among his famous fans, and if he carries on releasing music of this calibre then I’m sure his name will soon be on everyone’s lips.

Lovers of blues, country, folk and voices that make your hair stand on end should check out his debut EP ‘Bad for Me’.

Spotlight!: Tina Refsnes

/ James Fenney

tina refsnes

Rising star Tina Refsnes creates music as beautiful as the striking Norwegian landscape that inspired her. Influenced by such artists as Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, she has created her own brand of affecting Americana. Her latest single ‘I Don’t Know‘ starts with a simple beat and a meandering acoustic guitar, but soon builds to leave you feeling like a leaf drifting on an autumnal breeze. Along with her previous single ‘Upside Down Clouds’, it evokes a vivid vignette of the remote breathtaking setting in which they were written. Her tender voice and the sparse arrangement hark back to the 70s heyday of singer/songwriters wherein I’m sure she’d feel right at home with her rigorous writing ethic making sure that her songs were captured just right.

Fans of The Staves, First Aid Kit, Tobias Jesso Jr and Sufjan Stevens should be on the lookout for her debut album ‘No One Knows That You’re Lost’ out 6th November

Live Review: Wolf Alice, The Plug Sheffield, 22nd Sept 2015

/ James Fenney

WA1

Everyone needs something new and exciting in their life once in a while. The most new and exciting act in music this year has undoubtedly been Wolf Alice. They took their time to create an exemplary debut which is proving to be one of the finest albums of the year. It’s incredibly diverse and well crafted, and having wowed crowds at Glastonbury and Reading they’re also one of the top live acts in the country. So naturally it was worth the journey to go and see them up close and personal. Continue reading →