Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

There are times when it is all a musician can do is to play the notes that completes the soul, no matter how dangerous, no matter how solitary or seduced they make them feel, they must feel armed, perilous and ready for a new critical adventure; even if it makes them Ragged and Dirty.

Coming out from behind The Royal Soul Brotherhood curtain can be a tricky affair, a series of musicians who blend and mix together so well that brotherhood is practically a state of belief as well as musical right. The Royal Soul Brotherhood though installs something into the mind-set of those under its wing and charter, collectively the musicians are superb, apart and doing their own thing, they remain cool, confident and musically collected but with the charm of the collective state running through their veins as if the finest champagne had somehow wheedled its way into the body and replaced the blood flow.

This is no less true for the undeniably good Devon Allman, a man with a musical pedigree that in medieval times would have had continental knights cowering under the weight of the shield as they rode ungainly past his banner and standard, the ladies of the Court fanning themselves in disbelief at the dishonour but taken aback by the dashing interloper who caught them unawares. Ragged and Dirty he may be but Devon Allman is like silk laid out on the most delicate of man-made lace and wrapped up gold leaf, the result is a set of songs that catch the ear and make all fan themselves at the expectant highs and generous sweeping Blues on offer.

Ragged and Dirty is one thing, but what you cannot accuse the album of being is unkempt or untidy, if anything songs such as the fantastic Ten Million Slaves with its beautiful emotion and anger spilling out in a way that makes history shudder, Midnight Lake Michigan, Blackjack Heartattack, the unprotected solace that resides in Times Have Changed and Travelling frame the musician as one of responsible, accountable for every note and word and conscientious of the days in which we find ourselves. If the world is forever hanging on the cliff top of abyss then Devon Allman does his best to hang on to its shirt-tails and puts tremendous effort into pulling it back from the brink.  

Ragged and Dirty is a must hear, it confirms the loyalty and honour that goes with brotherhood and is a simple but powerful statement of intent and talent.

Ian D. Hall