B.B. and the Blues Shacks - London Days
(Crosscut Records)

B.B. and the Blues Shacks are most known for their frantic jump-Blues performances which have earned them worldwide attention and fame. In France they say: ça swinge ! However, London Days represents a substantial departure from the former Shacks’ sound here replaced by a more versatile approach and a variety of styles. Good old swing is not totally abandoned yet as one can realize in tracks like “High Class Lonely”, “Between the lines”, “Fools getting stronger”. A moderate soul-vein makes is first appearance in “Just you”, “How long can you go”, followed by some Doo-Wop in “It hurts so good”, “My baby’s alright”. Efforts to shape a specific song-writing style like in “Real good time” and “Let them talk” have a definitely positive outcome. The real difference among these different stylistic approaches is that the Shacks sound more convincing and more confident when they walk on their natural ground, namely jump-Blues. The new soul vein could open new paths to this instrumentally excellent band – here augmented by Raphael Wressnig’s talent on Hammond – as well described in “Once in a while”, easily the best song of this collection. All in all another outstanding product from B.B. and the Blues shacks to whom we can address one recommendation only: define your new way clearly and quickly.

Luca Lupoli

1. Real Good Times
2. This Time Baby
3. High Class Lonely
4. Just You
5. Between The Lines
6. It Hurts So Good
7. Let Them Talk
8. My Baby’s Alright
9. How Low Can You Go
10. Fools Getting Stronger
11. Miss Wrong
12. Once In A While (Is Better Than Never At All)
13. How Would You Like That
14. Turnaround
15. Autumn Sunset