Devon bluesman with his heart on his sleeve and a sorry from MV
Ok. Writing this review is a little bit like reading the book after seeing the film. That is to say that MV has already seen the Kris Barras band support Stevie Nimmo, so has caught the four piece live – but that, in this case, is a good job on so many levels.
Not least of which is the fact that they were very, very good (clearly the most important) but second, because it jogged the memory, so if you’ll allow this reviewer to make a personal apology to the KBB, seeing that show made me realise that I hadn’t actually written this already. Kris had sent the record for consideration and we’d thought it was superb (anyone with ears and a love of blues would) then promptly never penned the gushing 500 words it deserved.
This lapse is even more baffling given the fact that “Lucky 13” essentially does the job of reviewing itself. How, you might well ask. Well, it’s like this. Track three of this stellar collection is called “Rock n Roll Is In My Veins” which basically sums this all up. However, with its Blues Rock or Blues N Roll – frankly you can call it what you like – the common denominator is blues.
That much is rather evident from the start. The brilliant “Heart On Your Sleeve” is designed to rouse the rabble, kicking up a storm with its harmonica driven riff, while “I Got You” has a real deep south, swampy type feel and that’s all before the aforementioned rock thumper.
“Thumper” is an apt word here, because the Devonian is an MMA fighter when he’s not doing this (we did mention that we are really sorry, right Kris…?) but its his guitar skills that deliver the knockout blow throughout. Such is the versatility on work like “I’m Gone” that it comes as no shock whatsoever to learn that Barras is an author of articles on technique and a Lecturer too – he puts all this to wonderful use on the mellifluous “Nothing To Hide”, which is perhaps the most straight ahead blueser on offer. That track is one of a few to utilise the talents of singer Phoebe Ions, who shines on the brilliant “Tearing Me Apart” as the understated keys of Matt Vowels are used to fine effect.
Elsewhere, “Big City Lights” and “Small Town Blues” complement each other perfectly, while “Too Dumb To Care” – another with rocking intentions, a dirty bass groove and primal drums is a real shining light here and wouldn’t be out of place on a King King record.
Indeed by the time the barroom boogie of the whiskey-soaked “The Devil Done Alright By Me” has come and gone it is tempting to think that The Kriss Barras Band are on their way to the bigger leagues.
This fine collection is shot through with a real class, no little skill, but more pertinently some great songs.
Rating 8.5/10
