Eugene 'Hideaway' Bridges
Album: Born To Be Blue
Label: Manhaton
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.eugenebridges.com/

Debut album re-issue which heralded Eugene Bridges' arrival as a solo performer on the European blues scene.

Originally released in 1998 on the UK based Blueside label, and later swallowed up by a major conglomerate a couple of years later, a second album from Bridges did not materialise.

Now based in Australia, Bridges has six albums to his name recorded on various labels, and over the last twelve years has toured extensively around the world.

'Born To Be Blue' portrays a confidence and self-awareness about Bridges' music, with some truly excellent guitar work in evidence throughout.

On first hearing, my initial attention was drawn to the heavily influenced Sam Cook vocal style, and closer examination of the original 1998 sleeve-notes details two Sam Cook compositions amongst the twelve tracks on the album, with all other songs being Bridges' original songs.

Hopefully, this re-issue will spark a resurgence of interest in Bridges' music, and on the strength of this debut recording, it is quite a surprise that a wider recognition has not been achieved.

Stand-out tracks are, 'Aching Heart', Tears of a Fool, 'Good Thang' and a spirited and reverent cover of 'A Change is Gonna Come'

Phil Carter