CD Review of Just As I Am

DANNY BRYANT'S  REDEYEBAND

Sheer hard work and faith in all things Blues separate the best from the wannabees. As if to underline the point you would have to go through many crossroads to find a harder working bluesman than the U.K.’s Danny Bryant and, of course, The RedEye Band.
His hectic schedule of touring across Europe has built up a large and loyal fanbase who love his full-on live gigs, searing blues guitar, gritty voice, and quality songwriting. Having seen him several times I can put hand on pulsating heart and say he is everything a modern bluesman should be.

I reviewed his last studio album Black & White here on Eurorock and followed that with a review of the re-release of his first, Watching You! They are full of words such as "searing", "scorching", and "smouldering" to describe his guitar licks. Yes, it's all a bit clichéd but what other words can you use? This is especially so when you plug in and play the latest album, Just As I Am.
I actually like the sentence from the Black & White review that describes his music as, “a searing blues sound that will have you thirstily needing more like some salivating dog.”
I’m proud of that as it sums up just what this guy is all about. To prove the point I once again  became that dribbling canine when this album dropped onto the Eurorock doormat. Like said dog with a juicy bone, I was not disappointed and keep returning to it time and time again for more of the aforementioned licks.
Opening with a rocking “Shut Out The Light” Just As I Am contains nine tracks made up of eight originals and one cover. The cover is of John Hyatt’s “Master Of Disaster” which Danny nails expertly. “Blues For Buddy” opens with a massive trademark blues riff, the kind that Danny can deliver seemingly at will.
He takes his foot off the gas with “For The Last Time” a soothing ballad sung with raw emotion. The RedEye band of Danny's dad Ken, on bass, and drummer Trevor Barr, are on characteristically solid form on “Every Time The Devil Smiles”, a track that again features a "searing" solo.
Next up, the title track oozes the level of class that comes from the type of faith and  total commitment that Danny has shown over the years. “Master Of Disaster” follows and eases us along towards “Day By Day”. Its opening is nicely reminiscent of one of the guitar masters, Robin Trower.
Another of those solos has me reaching for the Thesaurus desperately looking for an alternative to "smouldering". Sadly, neither "fester", "seethe" or even "simmer" really do it justice.
“The Hard Way” builds nicely into a solid blues number with more impressive guitar work. All too soon the lovely “Alone In The Dark” takes us to the album’s conclusion with a memorable eight minute track with a massive guitar break to ensure you’re hitting replay before you know it.
With over a couple of thousand live shows to his name he shouldn’t be hard to find. If he is in a town near you, I strongly suggest you get along to see him. You won’t be disappointed. Call in on his active website or MySpace for details.
The album is perfectly titled. Just As I Am is just how we want him to be.

Jeff Perkins, Eurorock