Review by Andy Houghton for MPM
Critically acclaimed British guitarist and singer-songwriter Joanne Shaw Taylor has released a new single and accompanying video for ‘Let Me Down Easy’, a cover of the 1968 track by American blues singer and guitarist Little Milton.
The single is from her forthcoming release ‘The Blues Album’, with eleven covers of rare blues classics originally recorded by Albert King, Peter Green, Little Richard, Magic Sam, Aretha Franklin, and more.
Over the past two decades, Joanne has proven herself as a prolific songwriter, releasing seven acclaimed albums, each increasingly successful: her 2019 ‘Reckless Heart’ broke into the UK Top 20 Album Chart and cemented her as one of the most important exports in British blues-rock.
It’s not often that a cover turns out to be better than the original, but with ‘Let Me Down Easy’ Taylor has succeeded in taking an already beautiful track and infusing it with a little extra magic. Her raspy vocals carry an understated power and intimacy that make her voice a perfect match for a song of this nature, and this classic blues number simply oozes with soulfulness.
And it’s not just her vocal skills that are on display. The track culminates in a soaring guitar solo by Taylor, which makes it clear why she is hailed as one of the UK’s premier blues rock guitarists.
With ‘Let Me Down Easy’ Taylor has delivered a stunning track, and hints at great things to come with her forthcoming album.
‘The Blues Album’, produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith at Oceanway Recording Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, will be released on Bonamassa’s independent label KTBA Records on September 24, 2021.
TRACKLISTING
- STOP MESSIN’ ROUND (3:38)
- IF THAT AIN’T A REASON (4:00)
- KEEP ON LOVIN’ ME (4:07)
- IF YOU GOTTA MAKE A FOOL OF SOMEBODY (4:10)
- DON’T GO AWAY MAD feat. Joe Bonamassa (2:49)
- SCRAPS VIGNETTE (1:27)
- CAN’T YOU SEE WHAT YOU’RE DOING TO ME (4:25)
- LET ME DOWN EASY (4:50)
- TWO TIME MY LOVIN’ (4:34)
- I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’VE GOT feat. Mike Farris (4:49)
- THREE TIME LOSER (4:52)
Pre-order ‘The Blues Album’ now at https://bit.ly/JSTtba
http://Facebook.com/JoanneShawTaylor
