Ron Sayer Jr and Charlotte Joyce
Album: Hard To Please
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.ronsayer.co.uk/

I'm a sucker for full-on blues guitar especially if the chops are delivered with power and soul and Ron is sure an exponent of that. He is a master mechanic of blues guitar, something you only get through years of playing, showing an exquisite touch and tone and he sure knows how to get the best out of a single coil guitar be it a Strat or a Tele, in short the guy cooks!!. The album is splattered with tasty guitar breaks which remind me of the great modern days blues players such as Robben Ford, Chris Duarte and even old slow hand himself at his best. Apparently he's a mean bass player as well….talented chap indeed.

The quality of the musicianship throughout the album is of the highest quality and I still love the sound of a Hammond B3 organ. All 12 songs are Ron's and Charlottes originals and they share lead vocals duties which on first listening can give the album a disjointed feel thanks to its running order. Having said that, the opener Hard To Please kicks the album off in fine style, followed by the funk blues of Cold Shoulder to Cry On. These two openers set the standard for the rest of the album, familiar blues territory which calls into every port of the blues genre and even Captain Beefheart is covered by the last track on the album the acoustic Tell me something I Don't know.

If I'm going to be really picky I detest cheap sound effects dropped in either at the beginning or end of tracks; the end of Mr Weatherman being a case in point. It lowers the production value of what in the main is a very good easy to listen to album.

But I won't be telling that to his face as Mr Sayer appears to be a mean mother****** judging by the picture on the albums cover. He'll probably turn out to be the opposite.

Chris Light