The Harris Brothers
Album: Suitcase Blues
Label: Scuffletown
Tracks: 10
Website: www.theharrisbrothers.com

'Suitcase Blues' the debut album from North Carolinians the Harris Brothers (Ryan: bass, vocals and Reggie: guitar, suitcase and vocals) is a collection of ten, mainly depression era blues. Elizabeth Cotton's 'Freight Train' is probably pre-first world war, Muddy Waters' 'Honey Bee' is post second world war and JJ Cale's 'If You're Ever in Oklahoma' from 1973 is positively modern in comparison.

All are performed pretty much how you'd expect a pair of highly talented musicians armed with guitar and bass to sound. The rhythm is strong, the picking is quick, precise and engaging but the vocals are as flat as the top of Reggie's guitar.

Performing music from the twenties and thirties may be playing music to a niche market but it also a crowded one. Carolina Chocolate Drop, Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three, CW Stoneking all occupy roughly the same space and all have a bit more verve than the Harris Brothers.

'Suitcase Blues' is not a bad album but I'm not sure it will garner them many new fans.

John 'The Jacket' Hawes