Chris Bevington - Chris Bevington and Friends

(CD Album Review)

****1/2

A superb slice of Blues with soul!

It's nice when an artist really goes into the presentation of their promo CD they send you and Chris Bevington has done that with his new album 'Chris Bevington and Friends' which came in a presentation fold out digi pack signed by the man himself. I have to admit I did not know much about Chris before I heard this recording but it's a great Blues album which contains a touch of Soul to it and I can hear that Chris is a very good Blues bass player. The CD is an album comprising of some of Chris Bevington's favourite Blues tracks, done in the way he see's them in his head.

First song the Kenny Wayne Shepherd track 'Dark side of Love' which mixes up these Blues and Soul elements nicely resembles some of the later work of an artist I have recently discovered Jonny Lang so it instantly hooks me in. What I like about it is the way it flows and it's not the same old repetitive rhythm that you will find on a lot of other Blues records. The other thing you will notice straight away is the brilliant musicianship on the recording and the quality of the sound which is really something to hear. Well done Dan Rowley on this, it's really impressive and worth checking out.

Walter Trout (Pictured Above)

'Let me Know' the Walter Trout song is very different from the first track, it has a little bit of a 80's feel to it and the arrangement might be like what Jeff Healey would produce in one of his acoustic jam sessions, but this is no jam this is cleverly arranged and put together and Scott Ralphs vocals are guitar are very distinctive and make you feel what he is singing about. This is all kept in a steady groove by drummer Andy Carr who is quiet in the mix but keeps the song to a pace that makes it very listenable, and when the vocals by Angela Lazenby comes in at the end it finishes the song off well.

I am not so keen on 'She's out there Somewhere' which versions have been recorded by both Buddy Guy and again Walter Trout, but was written by Buddy way back when is just too predicable and kind of keeps to the old Blues standards that he was avoiding on the first two tracks. I think this is because it's an original standard, but I think could have been reproduced in a more interesting way. The mouth organ though really sounds great on this song so if you like a bit of Blues done with this way you will love this. I did find myself getting a little bored near the end of it though, I just have heard this done a million times before.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Pictured Above)

The next track 'All I want is You' another Walter Trout song is again what your used to but the tone is very good and is a really cool song to chill to, so fits in nicely on the record. I think Chris Bevington must really love Walter Trout and he does do his hero some justice on this album, and I think Walter would be really happy with the versions of his songs that Chris has recorded. Also I think Kenny Wayne Shepherd must be so please with his tracks Chris has covered because some of them are the stand out songs on this album like 'Was' one of the best songs. It's Country Rhythm and Blues sounds are really great, 'Was' was originally recorded by Kenny Wayne Shepherd sounds like what Aerosmith were trying to do on their album 'Honkin on Bobo' this has a great Rock vibe to it you can even imagine Michael Monroe of Hanoi Rocks fame bringing out his mouth organ and jamming to this.

Jim Kirkpatrick (Pictured Above)

The vocals by Jim Kirkpatrick (FM) are husky on this track and the guitar work is awesome like it is with his band, I think you have both slide guitar and steel guitar their. You just think of being in the west listening to this driving your pick up truck. I just been getting into Country and this verges on this in places but keeping to a great Blues vibe. When it comes to Jude Cole's 'Heart of Blues' another track with Jim on vocals you're getting well into the groove and the soul vibe of this track really grabs you and again could have been the work of Jonny Lang. This song is really well written and the way it kicks in is very Nashville style, this is a song you can listen to over and over again.

Also the inspired 'I don't need no Doctor' which John Mayer did a version of years ago has a distinctive lick to it that goes on throughout the song and makes you nod your head up and down. It stops for short breakdowns and little changes in the lick before going back to the main one again. And the backing vocals by Sarah Millar really make the track more noticeable and back up Scott's vocals perfectly, while a steady bass riff is driving the track provided by the man himself Chris Bevington.

Robert Johnson (Pictured Above)

This album seems good value for money because by the time you get to the track 'Crossroads' originally by Robert Johnson you have already had a lot of music by some great musicians. This one is kind of a filler but has a great guitar sequence that is simple but stands out. 'Somehow, Somewhere, Someway' another Kenny Wayne Shepherd song is a late night Blues song that you would like to hear in a bar somewhere while drinking the night away and really sets a good atmosphere.

The album ends on two cool tracks the Kenny Wayne Shepherd penned 'Blue on Black' and Albert Cummings tune 'Party right Here' the first a real Country / Folk song singing about feelings and the latter a full on let's end the album with a touch of fun. 'Party right Here' almost sounds like an on the spot Blues improvisation to end the evening in a traditional way. This is a great album and if you're into Rhythm and Blues with a touch of Soul.

I advise you to pick up a copy from www.chrisbevingtonmusic.co.uk because you're not going to be disappointed.

Review by Dan Devour