CD Review of Just As I Am

DANNY BRYANT'S  REDEYEBAND

BLUES MATTERS Feb. 2010

DANNY BRYANT'S REDEYE BAND Just As I Am
 
Two years down the road from "Black And White" and having played countless gigs along the way Danny and his stalwarts release their seventh CD at the start of February. With the same production team, the excellent and intuitive Dave Williams at the helm, father Ken on bass and drummer Trevor Barr at the back you could be forgiven if you asked has anything changed? Well the answer has to be no and yes. The CD again sounds crisp and clear throughout whether being driven hard or at more usual listening levels. The rhythm section gel together like the seasoned professionals they are. This time around you get eight original cuts and one John Hiatt cover. So what has changed? I think, overall, it comes down to that difficult to define thing called maturity of confidence. Danny's playing is more measured and his solos appear to have just the right amount of notes to do the job, rather than cramming in more than necessary. Danny's writing deals with love slipping away and the general hardships that life can throw at us. Don't think that this makes for depressing listening, oh no. The Blues has that weird ability to lift you up your spirits even when the subject matter may not be the happiest. Good examples from this set are 'Slipping Away', 'Blues For Buddy', 'Just As I Am' or the brilliant closer 'Alone In The Dark'. This is good, very good indeed.
 

Graeme Scott                   BLUES MATTERS