When Rivers Meet - We Fly Free
This album was actually released a few months ago, but somehow managed to elude my radar. However, after the husband-and-wife duo managed to win all four of their nominations at the British Blues Awards, I figured I should see what all the fuss was about.
The opening track is a slide driven blues track, and it sets up perfectly for what follows. The progression from the earlier music to this finely polished piece of pure blues is a welcome surprise. I was taken aback at just how good this album actually is, but this particular slice of humble pie doesn’t taste bad at all. I’m more than happy to admit when I’m wrong. More than that though, the band certainly deserve every single award they won.
Grace’s vocals are husky but powerful, and Aaron’s backing vocals lend to some interesting harmonies. Musically, it’s either blues-tinged rock, or rock-tinged blues, depending on your preference, but the blues influences are very deep, harking back to the classics, but still managing to be contemporary. It’s balancing on a knife edge in that respect, but with such clear intentions, there’s no room to waver, even slightly.
They’re currently working on the next album, but I almost feel sorry for them, because this one is a tough act to follow. It’s pretty much essential listening for any modern blues fan, and it sits well enough in the classic rock genre to keep those fans interested too. This is exactly how a crossover album should be done. Colour me impressed.
10/10
