Various Artists – Network Pacific Records Blues Sampler Vol.1 (Network Pacific Records).

I’ve always found that sampler albums can be hit and miss but it’s a good way to hear a labels roster in one fell swoop. Fortunately, Network Pacific’s blues sampler falls on the hit side as Dmitri Resnick’s opener Fast Track exemplifies. This is a fast paced, as the title suggests, R&B instrumental from Resnick’s first album. He has a big sound and stinging guitar. Resnick’s other offering is Got No Time For Taking Numbers and he turns to acoustic slide this time. This is an authentic blues from the internationally acclaimed Resnick and allows him to show his diversity and his clear, world weary voice. The Clint Warner Band is allowed two tracks as well and Don’t You Raise No Fuss is a swing blues released for the first time although it’s already a live favourite. Warner and harp player Ron Perry exchange licks whilst Rick Nelson gives his all on keyboards. The band is cut to a duo for Pain In My Heart as Chris Matheos on upright bass joins Warner on guitar/vocals. This is a slow blues but has so much power, especially from Warners voice. Two from The Kane Daily Band follow in the form of Too Hot Mama and Dangerous Thing. The former features electric slide guitar from erstwhile Michael Falzarano (Hot Tuna) sidekick Daily and his drawled vocal on this R&B rocker compliments his excellent slide. Kane goes solo for Dangerous Thing and this is the better of the tracks. He goes back to mean and moody basics with great success. The songs keep coming in pairs and Smokin’ Todd Sorensen &The Real Deal are up next with Dirty Martini and If This Was The Last Time. They are reckoned to be one of the up and coming bands on the Pacific Northwest and it’s hard to disagree on these performances. Dirty Martini is a slick jazz club blues with a sleazy vocal and If This Was The Last Time confirms that Sorenson can make the grade on guitar. His voice suits this song to a tee and cements his reputation as a star of the future.

Bobby Radcliff is a regular visitor to Europe and recently starred with Bob Margolin’s All Stars. His contributions are Lovers Death Zone and Downstroke. The former highlights his distinctive staccato guitar style and the latter, a guitar-led instrumental, harks back to the heyday of guitar instrumentals. The last of the paired songs are from up and coming Italians Robi Zonca & His Band. Nothing is a slick electric blues that showcases Robi’s guitar but his voice is a bit strained at times. Just A Little Bit is a shuffling blues and it rocks. Zonca shows us how good a guitarist he is and this style of song suits his voice so much better. Sister Blue Band gets one song to impress and Get Over It achieves its objective. This jaunty, down to earth blues is from her latest album Lust Pain And Other Temptations and her backing band provide a tight accompaniment. Losin’ You from Fingers Farrell with Andy Just serves up some classy harp from the aforementioned Mr Just who normally performs with Robben Ford and Etta James. I’ve listened to a number of harmonica men recently and Just is up there with the best of them. John Wedemayer of the Charlie Musselwhite Band adds a storming guitar solo and Farrell tops it all with thumping bass and great vocal harmonies. One of the stars of the album is The Sarah Ayres Band and Body Says Yes will blow you away. Guitarist Greg Lipsky is a star on this blues/rock of the highest standard. The album finishes with the UK’s Storm Warning. They give us Whisky Blues (spelled correctly, good boys) and they get my vote straight away. The song is slow and ponderous but that’s not a bad thing. I’ve not heard of the boys before but on the evidence of this I’m off to find out more. There’s some sultry harp, the vocals are rough in the right places and guitar work to make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.

http://www.networkpacificrecords.com/

Copyright David Blue 2006.