When Bluesbunny was young, the blues were all that a bunny needed. However the blues were not enough to keep our pen busy so we diversified into other sorts of independent music but recently a chewed up Jiffy bag squeezed its way through the letterbox. It was from Blues Destiny Records and it contained - amongst others - an album by Geoffrey McBride. The blues were back!
Now Geoffrey McBride has been around a bit - I even managed to dig out a 1990 album on Arista called "Do You Still Remember Love" - and this shows in his vocal performance. There is that confidence and poise that comes with experience. In lesser hands, a mid paced song like "Crazy" could crash right off the rails into cheese territory but fortunately this does not happen here. With the sterling musical backup that he has, especially the restrained but vital guitar work from Randy Cobbs and Chris Clifton, Mr McBride lays down a demon groove that cannot fail to win you over. Old style soul pervades the laidback and impassioned title track but it has to be said that the up-tempo "I've Been Running" was the one that became my favourite. Stylistically, these songs fit right alongside his major label releases but the difference here is the sheer warmth that surrounds them. Maybe that is due to recording the songs live in the studio but it does actually sound like he is singing to you rather than at you.
Whilst this is nominally a blues album, Geoffrey McBride's vocals make this more of a classic soul album. It also sounds great - just like those old Malaco LPs that you never (or will ever) get rid of - and, as a sonic bonus, it was recorded live on to tape rather than some digital computer thing. The old ways are sometimes the best. Furthermore, I believe that "If It Wasn't For The Heartbreak" might well prove to be something of a timeless album. Now, I wonder if you can get it on vinyl?
Available from Blues Destiny Records.