Solomon Hicks - How Did I Ever Get This Blue? 
(Artone/Provogue)
Release Date: Out Now
I grew up with the sound of the blues in my house courtesy of my dad's record collection so it is a genre that always brings me home and discovering new blues artists like Solomon Hicks is a particular treat. Hicks' new album, 'How Did I Ever Get This Blue?' is a real treat from start to finish and we get going with the 12 bar blues chug of 'Further On Up The Road', the perfect road tripping tune with soulful and gravelly vocals setting the tone wonderfully. 'Dimples' is a lighter, groovier track with a wondering gaze while 'Driftin' And Driftin'' brings the organ out to play for a heavier, dirtier sound that really gets your feet stomping.
On 'All Your Love (I Miss Lovin)' Hicks slows things down with some virtuoso guitar playing cutting through the heartache before 'Flyin' High (Yesterday)' weaves a country twang into the melody as the piano rattles like a back street bar band playing for their supper. Title track 'How Did I Ever Get This Blue?' comes wafting on the back of a downtrodden harmonica through the prison bars that have kept Hicks locked up from his baby. The party vibes return on 'I'm Burnin' Up', however, with a little MOR rock'n'roll sound mixed into the popping beat and ZZ Top inspired riffing.
The wailing guitar of Bruno Mars' 'When I Was Your Man' mixed with some soft keyboards makes for an almost 80s sound but a cover of Adele's 'Rumour Has It' screams into life with a rip-roaring lick and drums that are in a rush to get the hell out of town. Penultimate track 'Feels Like Rain' brings those 80s soul keys back and then the album finishes up on 'Memphis, Tennessee', a track that boogie-woogies, honky tonks and generally just lifts your spirits so that saying goodbye feels like a distant memory compared to the excitement of where you're getting to. This album is the sound of a bluesman in his pomp but mixing in contemporary influences while paying tribute to the greats that have inspired his path in life. A joyful listen.
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