from Blues In Britain
Blue on Black - In Transit
HIJOe Music
You could describe Blue on Black as a bunch of struggling musicians, still promoting themselves and releasing their own work while holding down day jobs.
The Sound they create appears anything but a struggle. It is an absolutely revivifying, effortless joy.
Following "Turning Up", released in 2005, "In Transit" intersperses three self penned works with an eclectic mix of covers recorded at venues visited by this Cornish three piece in touring around Britain.
One such cover is the prodigious "Blue on Black". Initially delicate, the song describes a rich arc of emotions through the exquisitevly inventive, oh so evocative plucking of Keith Howe.
Another is "Confidence Man". Howe's chopping guitar gets things off to a sharp, invigorating start. After a change down, Alan Ibbotson on drums slowly picks up the pace once more and then, once in high gear, Howe rips into his guitar like a pack of wolves into a carcass. Another exhilarating epic is "Magnolia".
Ah hell, there are so many great numbers that I give up.
If you like your Blues to have both soul and guts, you're in for a treat.
And if you have any influence at a record label, damn well get this lot signed up.
Rating 8

Jonathan Blackstaffe

---

from Rory's Friends
This is translated from the original German so please make allowances for Babel Fish and its limitations
Cornwall in England is the homeland of the Blues/Rock Power Trio Blue on Black

Blue on Black are:
Keith Howe (Guitar Vocals),
Alan Ibbotson (Drums&Vocals) and
Steve Jones (Bass&Vocals)....
Although they have produced three CDs to date including an earlier Live-album "Good to Go", they have only released two of them so far (the third In Transit another Live CD, is due out shortly.
However, I will begin with the Turning Up their Studio CD, which comprises of 12 Songs, all original to the Band.
Clear influences of SRV, Jimi Hendrix, Roy Buchanan and naturally RORY GALLAGHER, can be heard throughout their music.
Songs like Black Cadillac remind me very much of Billy Gibbons - ZZTop. guitar work.
Outstanding with the back line working overtime to produce such a full sound!
Big Boss, with its very strong Slide Guitar, is how I like to hear my Blues Rock and as a singer Keith Howe truly convinces.... keep Rory alive!
Overall the CD is very reminiscent of the style of British Blues Rock of the 70s and is therefore timeless.
Skilful riffs ride easily on top of a carpet of power chords. Guitar perfect......
Also a strong ballad not to be missed is Angel on Hold, unexpected from such a Power Trio but which constitutes however in my opinion, a good song.
Result: Well, the mix could be better with the singing too much in the foreground but the Booklet is beautifully made and I am sure I will be playing this C.D. many more times.
Now to the forthcoming live-album In Transit which really separates the wheat from the chaff!! ...
I know now why the Band was asked to play with Deep Purple, Peter Frampton and Walter Trout etc.
Live CDs can show Bands at there best (just like Cream) and as for this one ... WOW, WOW, WOW... Blues Rock of another dimension.
Images are conjured up again of Our Rory.
Delicate riffs to exciting dynamics set the mood throughout here.
I can also see why they have played alongside Joe Bonamassa as the playing on the whole CD is inspired.
The Slide Guitar passages on the tracks Shot Gun Blues/ Hoochie Coochie Man are absolute Killers!!!, but Mesa Blues...absolutely inspired.
Result:
Blue on Black are great (I was convinced from the first to the last number) and essential to see live.
I for one hope to get the opportunity to see and hear them very soon.

My thanks to Black on Blue for the CDs which you can order via their website
http://www.blueonblack.co.uk

Blues and greetings, your friend 20$bill
http://www.rorysfriends.de

http://www.myspace.com/rorysfriendsde

---

Quotes:
"To Keith and Blue on Black, Hey big man, superb and cheers" - Ian Gillan.

"I have seen Blue on Black perform and was totally knocked out. with 4000 Deep Purple fans shouting for more" - Richard Boyles, President of the Walter Trout Fan Club.