Showing posts with label Chris Bevington. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chris Bevington. Show all posts

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Chris Bevington Organisation - Cut And Run

Size: 113,3 MB
Time: 48:16
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2018
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. It's Too Late (3:36)
02. Had Enough (4:23)
03. Got To Know (3:59)
04. Won't Daydream No More (4:11)
05. Cut And Run (5:31)
06. It Ain't Easy (3:33)
07. She Ran Away To The City (3:48)
08. Sing Myself To Sleep (3:35)
09. Rollin' (3:40)
10. Ain't Got Nobody To Love (4:39)
11. Coming Down With The Blues (3:06)
12. The Bad Guys (4:11)

The current band line-up features Chris Bevington on bass guitar, Jim Kirkpatrick from FM, vocal duo Kate Robertson and Sarah Miller from Nearly Dan and Scott Ralph on guitar and vocals.

Trumpet player Adrian Gibson, saxophonist Mike Yorke, drummer Neil Macullan and Dave Edwards on keyboards complete the nine-piece band.

Recorded at Coal House Studios.

All songs written by Scott Ralph and Jim Kirkpatrick.

(1) It’s To Late
A great opening track that leaves you in no doubt how good this album is going too be. Awesome vocals and guitar from the outset demonstrating the combination and bond between Scott and Jim is all to evident. Attach to that the rest of this powerhouse of a band you are left with eager longing for the rest of the album.

(2) Had Enough
Real hard blues alongside superb brass work. Slow sultry groove with meaningful lyrics. Playing like an unbreakable unit this song would grace any stage in the world.

(3) Got Too Know
Thumping drumbeat from Neil McCallum. Up tempo blues delivered effortlessly punctuated with superb vocals. The backing vocals of Sarah Miller and Kate Robertson just add to the pleasure. I was lucky enough too see the band perform this live at Lichfield Guildhall a couple of months ago. Brilliant performance of a quite stunning song. It just makes you feel so good and puts you right in the groove.

(4) Won’t Daydream No More
Has an almost 70s feel too the start. Nothing wrong with that at all. Once again you get to hear sublime backing vocals complementing this tremendous piece of work. Put all that with an awesome sax solo and you have another gem on your hands.

(5) Cut And Run
The title track of the album places vocals and guitar in perfect harmony. Building slowly with percussion until the inevitable thundering drums and solid bass line put down by Chris Bevington. When the band hits the groove it really hits the sweet spot. In future this will be talked of as blues classic by many people far and wide.

(6) It Ain’t Easy
Funky guitar and keyboards provide another dimension to the band.Messers Kirkpatrick and Ralph once again prove beyond doubt their exceptional song writing skills.Dave Edwards on keys is a major influence on the structure of the song as are the brass section. Funk at It’s finest here.

(7) She Ran Away To The City
Soulful sound again enhanced by awesome keyboards alongside guitar and horns. Lyrics seem to come easily when you sit and listen but I’m sure it’s not at all easy. But that is the measure of fine songwriters and this offering is no exception.

(8) Sing Myself To Sleep
Another fine example of song writing and arrangement that leaves you so in tune and on a level with CBO. The perfect combination of such talented musicians produces songs such as this.First class lyrics and first class playing.

(9) Rollin'
The title does what it says on the tin. A rocking upbeat blues song thundering along that hits you straight between the eyes. If this doesn’t get you bouncing around the room then you must be dead. There will be many well known blues bands when upon hearing this will be extremely jealous. And looking over their shoulders nervously.

(10) Ain’t Got Nobody To Love
This was another new song that the band played live at Lichfield Guildhall a couple of months back. Songs like this can make you run out of superlatives. Guilty as charged. So much energy radiates from the band it leaves you breathless even when sitting down listening to then do their stuff. Stunning song.

(11) Coming Down With The Blues
A proper blues gem. Strong gutsy vocals/guitar backed by wonderful horns. This could easily have come straight from the early electric days of the blues in Chicago. One could imagine old blues venues in Chicago rockin to this back in the day. It helps when you have a guitarist of the stature of Jim Kirkpatrick and Scott Ralph aboard making it look like a walk in the park. That is genius.

(12) The Bad Guy’s
It’s almost a sad feeling knowing this is the last track on the album. A perfect ending to a truly wonderful album. It gently eases you down with it’s laid back groove and soothing arrangement. What do you do when the album is finished? Play it again. And again..

Cut And Run MP3
Cut And Run FLAC

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Chris Bevington & Friends - Better Start Cookin'

Size: 117,0 MB
Time: 50:17
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. 61 & 49 (3:48)
02. Better Start Cookin (4:02)
03. Bold As Love (4:57)
04. Boogie Man (4:28)
05. Call My Name (4:24)
06. Change The World (5:54)
07. Everyday I Have The Blues (5:11)
08. Express Train (3:54)
09. Old Friend (5:01)
10. Someone To Watch Over Me (4:58)
11. Still Haven't Seen You Cry (3:34)

This is the second CD by Chris Bevington and Friends and was awaited with anticipation – could it be as good as the first? Well I’m pleased to say they have done it yet again with ‘Better Start Cookin’ , with a mix of blues, rock and Americana, the amazing collective band have nailed it!!! Many of the tracks on the album are written by members of the band, with a great variety of styles which keeps the interest.

Chris had a vision to record music with high calibre musician friends and in the last few years he has done just that. On this album his guests include Robert Hart on vocals from Bad Company fame, George Glover from Climax Blues Band on keys, rising star, vocalist Rebecca Downes, Jim Kirkpatrick on guitar and vocals, Steve Overland on vocals, Clare Fluff Smith on strings, Chris Aldridge on sax and clarinet and Pete ‘Sarge’ Frampton on guitars. Also playing alongside Chris Bevington on bass, were multi instrumentalist, singer songwriter and producer Scott Ralph, Andy Carr on drums, Adrian Gibson, Mike Yorke and Jamie Bannister on brass, Dave Edwards and Aidan Goldstraw on keys with Sarah Miller and Kate Robinson on backing vocals.

The first track ’61 & 49', on this very enjoyable album hits the spot and is probably my favourite. Written by Jim Kirkpatrick and Scott Ralph it has heavy raw rock overtones and strong vocals from Robert Hart, supported by Rebecca Downes, a real ‘get down and dirty’, full on track. Excellent slide guitar input from Pete Frampton and powerhouse drumming from Andy Carr with a superb bass line from Chris Bevington. ~Rosy Greer

A pleasing Bernard Allison shuffle ‘Boogie Man’ to follow, with excellent vocals and guitar from Scott Ralph, jazzy piano input from George Glover and plenty of brass with stupendous sax from Jamie Bannister. Slowing the pace with ‘Change The World’ written by George Glover, Scott Ralph and Chris Bevington – not on the ‘blues’ ladder, but an excellent track with Robert on vocals, Chris Aldridge on sexy sax and Adrian Gibson on trumpet with the addition of Alan White on harp.

A slinky jazzy number ‘Express Train’ displays the writing talents of Scott Ralph on vocals and lead guitar and Dave Edwards on keys with a good input of brass. The name sake of the album ‘Better Start Cookin’, another blues shuffle, has writer Scott on vocals and guitar, giving us a spectacular solo, with brass in plenty.

A brilliant part acoustic rendition of the Allman Brothers ‘Old Friend’, with class player Jim Kirkpartrick on vocals and guitars, superb. Next the classic BB King, ‘Every Day I Have The Blues’ with a great Gospel feel on the intro. Steve Overland takes the vocal lead with Scott Ralph on guitar.

Follow on with a cracking song with an Americana feel, written by George Glover and Scott Ralph, ‘Call My Name’, flies super joint lead vocals from star in the making Rebecca Downes and Scott Ralphs with Pete Frampton on slide. Then onto a well put together take of a Hendrix number ‘Bold As Love’ , with great guitar and vocals from Scott and a fan fare of superb sax from Jamie.

The penultimate track, , ‘Still Haven’t Seen You Cry’, hints of Americana and features Scott on vocals, with Pete Frampton playing superb slide guitar on this Scott/Thomas/Ralph(EMI) track. The final number on this excellent album, and slowing the pace, ‘Someone To Watch Over Me’ , is written by Robert Hart who performs lead vocals in this soul drenched track. An powerful end to an exceptional album.

All the musicians have given their all and none more so than Chris Bevington himself, who as the bass player stands back from the lime light. Without him however, this project would never have got off the ground, so it’s hats off for his hard work and dedication and well done to all those involved to hopefully make this excellent CD, Better Start Cookin’, one of the best albums for 2016. ~Rosy Greer

Better Start Cookin'

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Chris Bevington & Friends - Chris Bevington & Friends

Size: 109,7 MB
Time: 46:38
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Modern Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Dark Side Of Love (Kenny Wayne Shepherd) (3:44)
02. Was (Kenny Wayne Shepherd) (3:48)
03. Heart Of Blues (Jude Cole) (5:01)
04. Let Me Know (Walter Trout) (5:18)
05. Blue On Black (Kenny Wayne Shepherd) (5:54)
06. Somehow Somewhere Someway (Kenny Wayne Shepherd) (4:32)
07. Shes Out There Somewhere (Walter Trout) (3:52)
08. Crossroads (Robert Johnson) (2:29)
09. All I Want Is You (Walter Trout) (4:43)
10. I Don't Need No Doctor (John Mayer) (3:58)
11. Party Right Here (Albert Cummings) (3:13)

Chris Bevington, hailing from the Stoke-on-Trent area, had a vision of putting together an album to include many of his notable friends. This album, ‘Chris Bevington And Friends’ is the product of a lot of hard work and time, but it has certainly paid off!!

On the album Chris Bevington plays bass or double bass on all tracks with guests Scott Ralph and Jim Kirkpatrick on guitar and vocals, George Glover (Climax Blues Band), Aidan Goldshaw and Mark Hargeaves on keys, Paul Burgess (10cc) and Andy Carr on drums, Rob Wilkinson on harmonica, Jamie Bannister on sax and Angela Lazenby and Sarah Miller on backing vocals. The album was produced and engineered by Daniel Rowley.

The first track on this splendid album is ‘Dark Side Of Love’. A hard hitting, uptempo blues number with a funky edge and probably one of my favourites. It has great vocals and guitar from Scott Ralph, with excellent sax and Hammond input. A brilliant track and so well put together. Next, ‘Let Me Know’, has a fantastic ‘full on’ band sound, with Jamie Bannister on superb sax.

‘She’s Out There’, an honest rockin’ it up 12 bar blues, has some great harmonica input from Rob Wilkinson. This is followed by a slow blues ‘All I Want Is You’ with haunting harp playing from Rob and some great acoustic guitar and vocals.

Another of my favourite track ‘Was’, has a great raw acoustic slide guitar intro leading into ‘get down and dirty’ electric overtones. A class guitar solo from Jim Kirkpatrick, with Paul Burgess thrashing the skins and Chris Bevington on thumping bass. Rob Wilkinson also does a great job on harmonica, I just love it! Some superb finger picking acoustic guitar, with stomp on the next track, ‘Heart Of Blues’ . The track then morphs to a southern feel and the electric slide guitar kicks in midway, reminiscent of a Derek Trucks number

Funky blues as it should be played ,’I Don’t Need No Doctor’ gives classy funky rhythms. It has great vocals and guitar from Scott Ralph and backing vocals from Sarah Miller. Following on, an interesting up tempo ‘funky’ rendition of ‘Crossroads’, with a competent guitar solo. The multi tracking gave this number an ‘added extra’.

‘Somehow Somewhere Someway’ is a classic Chicago style blues. A great all round track and very well mastered. The lilting track ‘Blue On Black’ next, has that ‘Southern rock’ feel with classic guitar solo and great vocals from Jim Kirkpatrick. An easy listen.

The last track ‘Party Right Here’, on this superb album, is an uptempo rock n’ roll track with some first class boogie piano from George Glover, guitar playing and vocals from Scott Ralph and keeping that rhythm going – Andy Carr on drums with Chris Bevington on bass, with Angela Lazenby on backing vocals. A great rockin’ track to finish the album.

All I can say is ‘Wow’!!! What a brilliantly put together album and what class musicianship. It’s an album you can put on again and again and not be bored, the variety of the content is superb. So well done Chris Bevington for turning your vision into reality. It is one of the best albums I have heard in a while and I will look forward to catching any live performances in the future. ~Rosy Greer

Chris Bevington & Friends