Saturday, September 28, 2013


Federal CharmFederal Charm (Mystic Records).

Manchester’s Federal Charm has released a debut album that befits a true Rock band. This is a joy from start to finish and classic Rock themes abound from Too Blind To See, the stinging and throbbing Reaction and Any Other Day. Their Blues influences appear on The Stray and the rocking I’m Not Gonna Beg. They are explosive (Gotta Give It Up, Tell Your Friends), smouldering (Reconsider) and electric (No Money Down). Highlights are the slow burning Somebody Help Me and the ultra-quick There’s A Light. Vocalist Nick Bowden and guitarist Paul Bowe are top notch and live performances will be electric.



David Blue.

Live Dates:

November 6 -- Wolverhampton Robin 2
November 10 -- Blues Splash, The Ritz Manchester with Walter Trout
November 16 -- Caerphilly Patriot Club
November 21 -- Chislehurst Beaverwood
November 22 Sutton Boom Boom Club
November 29 -- Aylesbury Limelight Club

Saturday, September 21, 2013


Dana FuchsBliss Avenue (Ruf Records).

This is Fuchs’ third album and follows 2011’s Love To Beg. Opening with the eponymous title track, a rough and ready Blues Rock with Janis Joplin vocal, she rips through 12 original songs. She’s not a one trick pony and changes style with ease; there’s Country (Rodents In The Attic, Daddy’s Little Girl, Nothin’ On My Mind), Rock (Vagabond Wind, How Did Things Get This Way) and Blues (Handful Too Many). Despite her songs rarely sticking strictly to one genre, one constant is her gravelly voice and this is used to best effect on Livin’ On A Sunday, How Did Things Get This Way and Baby Love The Life.



David Blue.