I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tales From The West, from Shaw Davis & The Black Ties, and I really like it. Opening with power blues rocker, Take My Hand, guitarist and lead vocalist, Shaw Davis sets a signature sound with his Marino / Hendrix / Trower like blues rock style. With a tight rhythm section of Patrick Stevenson on bass and Bobby Van Stone on drums, these guys are hot. On Zappa's classic blues rocker, Willie The Pimp, Stevenson and Van Stone really turn up the heat with heavy, precise bottom and in addition to Davis' great vocals exceptional guitar soloing. Excellent! With a funk rock beat, Mama Told Me gets this train grooving. Excellent drum work by Van Stone set this track off nicely and with a rumbling bass line Shaw just rips the guitar lead.... oh yeah...you know what I mean... step back. Ok... you really got me with Junior Kimbrough's I Gotta Try You Girl and it's hill country style. Taking it's simplistic droning style and pairing it with power blues rock rhythm and lead is ingenious with excellent results. Stevenson and Van Stone are unbending and relentless and Davis slashes with his guitar lead making this and excellent showpiece for the band. Wrapping the release is My Friend, a more subtle starter with relentless guitar lead, a strong bottom and ethereal flow. If you've been wanting to know who is doing that hard edged blues rock today... look no further. Very nice job!
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