This year has seen some incredible blues albums being released and the vast majority of them by women. This is not only great news to see the likes of Beverly McClellan, Beth Hart, Bonnie Raitt and Joanne Shaw Taylor take on the men at their own game but it also sees the new men of Blues raise their standards.
In a similar fashion the punk explosion of the 1970’s that musically threatened the old established figures , what is coming through is exciting and new and whilst led by Joe Bonamassa and some of the older guard like Robert Cray are still the Gods that every one aspires to become. This is no less true in the case of the exceptional Belfast Blues man Simon McBride.
Simon McBride’s a comparatively young man but his new album, Crossing the Line, has all the hall marks of a man who is not only accomplished beyond doubt at his craft but who could become the best male Blues guitarist from the U.K. if he keeps up this type of superb form. There will be comparisons with his fellow countryman, the sadly missed Garry Moore, and whilst this may be flattering, it should not and must not overshadow the achievement of the man behind this outstanding and hugely enjoyable album.
Crossing the Line holds nothing back which does the man much credit. On each song the soaring and sweeping guitar movements are only bettered by the vocals which come from the very streets of Ireland and become more elevated and more interesting as the album progresses. Songs such as Go Down Gamblin’, the brilliant Alcatraz and the charm of A Rock and a Storm give the album a sense of Irish poetic charm which is hard to escape, the question is would you really want to.
Perhaps his only serious rival for best Blues guitarist from this side of the Atlantic shores lies in the hands of Joanne Shaw Taylor; it is a hell of an enviable position to be in and shows that British Blues is just as vibrant as its American brother.
Simon McBride will be performing at Eric’s on Mathew Street, Liverpool on November 18th 2012.
Ian D. Hall