This release sees Britain’s much admired pianist and singer team up with a fine Swedish band of six to eight pieces, as seen at the 2002 Burney Blues Festival. There are a generous sixteen tracks, all less than four-and-a-half minutes. Five are from the Sanchez pen, with the remainder probably all being older than any of the musicians involved.
Sanchez dives right into the deep end from the start, with borrowings from three of the greatest singers of early R&B -Roy Brown, Wynonie Harris and Percy Mayfield. These, and all the other covers, are all given highly credible and authentic readings, while the original fit nicely into the retro programme. Despite his star billing, Knockout Greg Andersson’s own contribution is just harmonica on two of the new songs. Guitarist Anders Lewen does a fine job throughout and is showcased on Mr Walker’s “Strollin’ With Bones”, while saxmen Tobbe Elliason and Tore Berglund get plenty of solo space which they use to good effect.
As as revivalist set it cannot be faulted. Nice digipack presentation too, from this artist-owned label.
Rating: 9 -Jon Taylor