Blind Lemon Pledge
Album: Evangeline
Label: Ofer
Tracks: 9
Website: http://www.james-creative.com

The world of blues music is littered with exotic -named artists. Blind Lemon Pledge is no different.

Blind Lemon - aka James Byfield - has been around since 2008 and hails from the San Franscisco area.

So for someone with a name like Pledge , he'd better be polished…

There's no fears with this collection of pure Americana - it's a feast for blues lovers with so many genres covered - and covered so well.

The opening track, Buley's Farm, harks back to the field-hollering early days of the blues.

Lilting Jennie Bell, with its strong vocals and simple guitar backing and throbbing bass is a quintessential folk blues.

Brimstone Joe switches between a sultry minor key blues and an upbeat chorus.

Midnight Assignation slides along nicely, with everyone enjoying themselves.

There's a jive-blues -Go Jump the Willie- with crisp piano, which will get your feet tapping.

The Language of Love has a pronounced Mexican/Spanish flavour.

Ham and Eggs is an upbeat jolly romp followed by the plaintive How Can I Still Love You, which features a powerful vocal performance and jazz-tinged guitar and piano.

You Had Me At Goodbye, is a departure from the straight forward blues, with a more contemporary feel.

The title track closes the album. Evangeline is a classy slide guitar blues with echoes of The Deep South. A fitting end to a wonderful album.

Throughout the playing is tight and accomplished.

John Knighton