Samantha Fish
Album: Black Wind Howlin'
Label: RUF
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.samanthafish.com

Since releasing her debut solo album, "Runaway", back in 2011, Samantha Fish, has pretty much been on the road and that's something that doesn't look like it's going to change with the release of sophomore album, "Black Wind Howlin'", including some dates supporting RUF stable mates, "Royal Southern Brotherhood". In fact the Royal Southern Brotherhood's Mike Zito gets to do the duty behind the desk on this. Mike also being a hugely busy blueman maintaining a solo blues career as well all the extracurricular activity.

RUF has got quite the collection of blues rockers at the moment, pulling the talent in from both genders and both sides of the Atlantic(and beyond). With all the time spent on the road, it should come as little surprise to find that featuring extensively though the songs, neatly capturing the love hate relationship with the travelling side of the industry.

"Black Winds Howlin'" is definitely a harder, more cynical album than its predecessor, but to my mind it's also one that sees her opening her wings and being prepared to mix it more. Whilst there are the out and out blues rockers, there is also a more hard arsed Americana sound breaking through, country balladry in a blues setting if you like, some if it I found slightly reminiscent of Lone Justice with Maria McKee in full flight.

Vocally there's more experimentation, not only in how she uses the backing singers, but also where she gets into an angry duet on "Go To Hell". Samantha Fish may have lost some of that fresh face enthusiasm that came with the debut album, but she's certainly found a hard ground reality to provide inspiration for "Black Winds Howlin'" and it's a howl that you are going to hear for miles.

Neil King