It takes some cheek for a musician to call one of his cuts “I Am The Blues” and some skill to hear nobody protest such a self-assigned title, yet the talent Dave Kelly‘s been demonstrating for more than five decades now has surely given him the right to get away with any superlative – and to record the aforementioned fave with his ensembles’ fans, co-penned with an esteemed keyboard player Lou Stonebridge, for his forthcoming platter. Slated for release on January 26th, 2024, “Sun On My Face” should also light the faces of Kelly’s followers who enjoyed the online videos he shared on Facebook, performing many a perennial while sitting in his garden – hence the record’s cover and headline.
It all started during Covid-related lockdowns when the venerated guitarist’s work on the expansion of THE DAVE KELLY BAND’s repertoire had to halt – and later resume in his studio in the company of Stonebridge and a few other friends, including the legendary Paul Jones, his colleague from THE BLUES BAND, on harmonica. Together, they cut afresh “Them Ole Crossroads Blues” – dedicated this time to the recently departed Tony McPhee – and nailed down, alongside original pieces, such classics as Hank Williams’ “I Can’t Help It If I’m Still In Love With You” and “Mean Old Frisco Blues” by Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup. In other words, here’s an album that’s not to be ignored. Read the review.
Sun On My Face
1. Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall In Love
2. Lovin’ Arms
3. Sun On My Face
4. Georgia On My Mind
5. Mean Old Frisco Blues
6. I Can’t Help It If I’m Still In Love With You
7. Too Happy To Write
8. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
9. From My Ass In Lagrasse
10. Tramps And Hawkers
11. Them Ole Crossroads Blues
12. My Girl
13. Ain’t Nothin’ In Ramblin’
14. Take Me Home Country Roads (Blues)
15. I Am The Blues
