Slow Train

by Chris NicksonThey call him the Eurobluesman, and he's one of the few Europeans to make a very convincing fist of the blues. At it for many years, he's recorded an excellent catalog of material, and this is no exception. There's plenty of space here, which is something that suits his very relaxed style, so laid-back that at times it seems as if he couldn't be more at home. But when you consider that one of his inspirations must be J.J. Cale, that's perhaps not too surprising. A deft instrumentalist, playing guitar, mandolin, harmonica, banjo, and mandoguitar, he uses the instruments sparingly and well, allowing his lovely, warm voice to dominate. There's backing, of course, but the arrangements are happily spare, and the African backing singers add a touch that's not so much exotic as just right, but remarkably more redolent of South Africa than the homes of the blues in West Africa. But never mind, it fits, just like everything on this very satisfying disc.