CD - Ben Andrews: Gallows Pole

An old review, but retained here as an example of the breadth of acoustic material to be found in today's market, despite assertions from some quarters that it's a dying genre. Traditional acoustic or predominantly acoustic blues has in the recent past suffered a mixed critical reaction. Tired, earnest renditions of traditional and repetitive refrains without any nod to contemporary sounds and, to be honest, a lack of emotional involvement have often justifiably fuelled its lack of impact. Retreading the past and going through the motions just didn't cut it anymore.
Then, in the space of a few years, we get a truckload of major talent all infusing the form with a style and commitment that transforms the genre and makes it vital again. Eric Bibb, Keb Mo, Kelly Joe Phelps, Corey Harris and Alvin Youngblood Hart have all offered varied but individual and singular insights into the acoustic blues form: And to that ever growing list should surely be added the name of Ben Andrews.

I wonder how many picked up on Andrews for the first time when he took the Bishopstock 2001 festival by storm and where, incidentally, he generated enormous interest at the autograph tent following his emotional and captivating set. Evidence aplenty of the impact he made as people shelled out their hard-earned cash. The CD was recorded in Kent, England and is a fine example of Andrews' talent as a guitarist and interpreter of the blues; the album offers an eclectic mix of traditional and blues based material. His journey into the Delta Blues began in the clubs of Washington DC (where he shared the stage with the likes of Muddy Waters and Robert Lockwood) and the album manages to pay homage to the original greats whilst retaining a modern vitality in a way that so much, so-called traditionalism often fails to do.

There is only one original Andrews composition on this CD, the lovely, contemporary instrumental 'Butterfly', which is gently affecting but far too short! What we do get on the album is the addition of 5 or 6 band tracks, virtual jam sessions with musicians who happened to pass by the studio when Ben was laying down the title track, and these undoubtedly add colour and additional dynamics to what is still essentially a virtuoso performance by Ben. There are very fine versions of traditional material - 'C.C. Rider', the jaunty 'Salty Dog', 'Stagolee' and 'Cocaine' (possibly the best version the Primer's ever heard), as well as the riveting and haunting title track. The Primer favourite is a particularly strong take on the Robert Johnson penned 'Last Fair Deal Gone Down' but there is also a storming full band rendition of John Lee Hooker's 'Mad With You Baby'.

There are still critics around who consider acoustic blues to be a largely redundant musical form. Anyone who gets to hear the voice and six and twelve string guitar work of Ben Andrews will have all the evidence they need to refute the claims

September 2001