When you have a remarkable catalogue of artists, as Provogue does, you’d surely want to shout about it, and this handy sampler gives the label the opportunity to do just that. The latest addition to a long-running line of samplers, the CD includes a mix of album gems and even a handful of unreleased tracks, making this a desirable addition to the collection, even for those who own a good deal of the parent albums already.
So, for your money, you get 15 tracks from artists young and old. Of those 15 tracks, three are previously unreleased, and all are crackers. Things get off to a gloriously soulful start with the exceptionally talented Beth Hart whose ‘baddest blues’ smoulders into the night. A beautiful way to open the record, the track veers between sultry verses and huge guitars and it sets the tone nicely. Robben Ford offers up the funky, horn-soaked ‘fair child’ – surely the perfect soundtrack to a night out on the tiles, and then SonicAbuse favourite Walter Trout weighs in with the brilliantly traditional, raw-boned blues of ‘cherry red wine’, the aural equivalent of sliding down next to the bar with a cigarette in one hand and a whiskey in the other. Quality does not dip, either, when Robert Cray slinks into view with the smooth blues of ‘a memo’, his voice still sounding as silken as ever whilst the guitars cocoon him in gossamer. In contrast Jonny Lang takes programmed drums, fine guitar work and a pinch of funk to deliver ‘what you’re looking for’, a song that drifts close into modern r&b territory.
Having drifted to the very edge of the comfort zone, the compilation returns with the tribal drums and sylph-like guitars of ‘Boo hoo hoo’ by No Sinner. Better still is the raucous blues of Gov’t Mule whose gnarled guitar tone sounds more powerful than ever on ‘world boss’, the excellent opening track from ‘shout’. Jonny Lang returns, this time as a guest, on ‘Austin’, a track from the legendary Eric Johnson and the pair between them waste no time in delivering blues with a light touch and some sizzling leads. Omar Dykes offers up a jazzy take on Willie Dixon’s ‘spoonful’ (from the ‘running with the wolf’ album), whilst his well-worn vocals do their best to recall B.B King. A new band from old hands, the Rides sound as inspirational at the heart of this compilation as they did on their debut album and ‘roadhouse’ with its chunky riff is an inspired choice, guaranteed to draw in any new listeners who missed out on the album when it was released last year. Popa Chubby, not to be outdone, comes out swinging with the sparkling ‘I need a lil’ mojo’ and then Leslie West slows the pace down to a crawl with the beautiful acoustic lament of ‘fade into you’, only to shift the ground from under the listener as the song suddenly moves from whisper to wail, with a beautifully elegant guitar solo to boot.
Finally we get to the three unreleased tracks, and damn if they’re not cooking tracks that all blues aficionados will want to check out. Firstly Bernie Marsden, the former Whitesnake guitarist, unleashes hell with the blistering blues workout of ‘linin’ track’, a roaring, foot stomping blast of bluegrass that will have you leaping around the room. Then there’s the distressingly talented Philip Sayce, who dips into the funk with ‘sailin’ shoes’ before Matt Schofield closes proceedings with the throbbing bass and delicate guitar work of the Rory Gallagher-esque ‘Getaway’, his sublime fretwork proving to be a late highlight of the album.
How many labels can deliver a sampler where each and every one of the tracks sounds like a classic in the making? With a roster that reads like a who’s who of contemporary blues, Provogue are a true musicians’’ label, housing some of the finest talents on the planet today. From the raw, rock ‘n’ roll-soaked blues of Gov’t Mule to the pop and soul infused work of Jonny Lang it is true to say that there is something for everyone, but moreover any blues fan will love the variety and skill that is on offer. If you haven’t yet caught up with what Provogue has to offer or if, perhaps, you are starting out on a journey in the wonderful world of the Blues, then ‘Where blues meets rock Vol. 9’ is the album for you.
