Cherry Lee Mewis
Album: Heard It Here First
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.cherryleemewis.com

What gem of an album this is ! Who is Cherry Lee Mewis? Well according to Seasick Steve "She got the blues" and he's not wrong. What is surprising is that Cherry is not from Memphis or New Orleans or anywhere in between. No, she is from Mochdre, a small village in North Wales!

Cherry is a seasoned performer ,as she started gigging at the age of 11. She has one of the best female blues voices that you are likely to hear. She has shared the stage with such big names as Walter Trout, Robin Trower and Paul Jones.

This is an extremely accomplished album. Cherry and her talented band romp through 11 original songs [no covers here]. The majority of the songs were written by Cherry and her songwriting partner [and excellent guitarist] Max Milligan. The remaining couple of songs were written by Max on his own, including the gentle, aching, ballad "Way to Your Heart ".

The quality of the songwriting is such that it is difficult to believe that these are new songs and not blues standards. For example, "Keep It Clean" sounds as if it could have been sung by Memphis Minnie. The variety of styles is impressive ,from country blues ["On Loan" ] to Hot Club -style jazz [ "Long Distance Love"].

Cherry continues the tradition of blues women singing rather risqué songs in "He Wants More " which has some great Django -style guitar and Boogie Woogie backing vocals. Again, it sounds like it could have been recorded by Dinah Washington.

The playing is also exemplary. In particular the interplay between Max's guitar and Nicky Slater's dobro gives the album an authentic country-blues feel.

This album has everything going for it-great original songs, fantastic playing and soulful vocals -what more could you ask for? If you like the blues and want to hear something fresh and full of vitality, this is the album for you. Can't wait to see Cherry and her band live !

Peter Cowley