This week’s featured artist (#22) is Birmingham/UK based The Grey Goose Blues Band. They have been beavering away on the blues scene for over 8 years now, playing at venues and festivals up and down the country.
Having seen several lineup changes over the time, the founder members Kevin Williams (Guitar/Vocals, on the left below) and Steve Watson (Bass/BVs, on the right below) are at the heart of the band and have injected a new lease of life with their third album, which they recorded as a three-piece with the talented Richard Kirk on the drum kit.
The Grey Goose Blues Band’s 3rd studio album “Awful Smell” was recorded and mastered at “Woodbine Street Recording Studios,” Leamington Spa, home to the amazing John Rivers. “John is an excellent producer and studio engineer who had real empathy for our music,” says Kevin. “We recorded all these tracks live and added minimum overdubs. John achieved some amazing ambiance in the room, and I feel the whole ‘live recording’ feel adds to the quality of the songs”.
The album, released independently by the band on October 11, contains 10 tracks, 8 of which are Grey Goose originals, mostly written in the past 12 months. The style of the album is very eclectic and tips its hat strongly to the early work of swing blues artists such as T Bone Walker and latterly Duke Robillard whom Kevin cites as strong influences. However, the album also contains some funky grooves and distinct references to John Lee Hooker and a passing nod and a wink to Kevin’s favorite British Bluesman, Peter Green. Two tracks on the album are classic covers. “Good morning blues” by Leadbelly and “Bright Lights Big City” by Jimmy Reed are timeless classics that the band performs during live performances and which they hope compliment their own material on this album.
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For bookings and further information on the band contact Kevin on kevinwilliams1998@yahoo.co.uk.