There's nothing lower than the blues. You could be laid out in your bed with the 'flu but still thankful that the blues hadn't taken hold. No point in telling this to Peter McGraw, though, for he already knows. This, his second release on the Blues Destiny label, stands as a fine follow-up to "Follow Me To The Blues". See what we did there?
McGraw's voice echoes a lifetime of good drinking and partying and of pain, strife and sorrow. On this evidence, McGraw has been the epicentre of his fair share of events in the social exosphere. Certainly, for as much as this album is indebted to the blues, tracks such as "Party, Party, Party" are more likely to have you shuffling your feet than shedding tears.
"I Had The Blues" stands as a perfect summation of what it can mean to have the blues, while proving to be a near-perfect number to tap your foot to. Contradictory? Maybe? Satisfactory? To say the least!
It isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea, but the boogie-woogie jam feel that pervades this album is one that is bound to get people off their seats and into an entirely more dance-friendly position. Few are going to argue with this. Frankly, to do so, they'd have to be devoid of feeling. Backed by a solid supporting cast, Peter McGraw has produced a remarkable and enjoyable album of bluesy rock that, while offering nothing new to the palette, will stand up well against as many a blues album as you'll hear anytime soon. Play this album and open a beer. It'll work. Believe me.