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	Ain't It Real (2005)

[ Reviews | Track list & MP3s | Lyrics | | Buy now! ]

Reviews

"...highly recommended".
Living Blues USA

"...a gift for evocative songwriting".
Paul Jones - BBC Radio2

"...more captivating than ever...9 out of 10".
Blues In Britain

" ...moody, mean and gorgeous......
you will have to go a long way to get a better CD this year".
Blues Matters UK

Blues Revue (US) - March 06

You’ve got to hand it to the Spikedrivers. Four albums on and they continue to break new ground, evolving their sound in a way that’s always more intriguing than the last time. Key to their sensibility is their ability to control and build atmosphere, setting a trap that lures you in with a deceptively simple approach. Harder to do than it sounds.

Ain’t It Real features 15 tracks – all originals save a ballsy cover of the Stones’ “No Expectations.” Same players: Ben Tyzack on harmonica, vocals and all manner of guitar; Constance Redgrave on bass and vocals; and Maurice McElroy on percussion and (primarily) backing vocals. Tyzack remains the guiding light; his soulful vocals and guitar continue to be the Spikedrivers’ strongest suit. Redgrave’s bass and McElroy’s inventive percussion add depth to each song;; on “Scarecrow Eyes” an elaborate instrumental that showcases intoxicating finger-picking and slide, Redgrave and McElroy are barely there, yet they’re far from invisible. The band’s forte lies in its member’s ability to stay on the same plane, as evidenced on “Morning Train” where Redgrave and McElroy add haunting backup vocals to Tyzack’s sleepy-paced lead.

Redgrave takes the microphone on the ethereal “Angel of Blue” and the torchy “Gypsy Wind” and though her voice isn’t going to stop traffic, it’s a worthwhile addition to the Spikedrivers’ arsenal. McElroy reserves his vocals for the lyrically lighter compositions, notably “Goodbye Mr. Blues.” On “Hold Me Still,” another standout, McElroy deftly uses the udu drum to separate the Spikedrivers from the rest of the pack. Two additional instrumentals – the buoyant “Smoochin” and the near-inspirational “Waterfall” – reveal the influence of jazz and world music, and producer Phill Brown’s live-to-analog recording gives the sound a warmth that helps capture the band at its best.

Eric Thom - Blues Revue

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fRoots (UK) - Dec 05/Jan 06

The Spikedrivers prefer to play with a modicum of volume, drawing the listener closer to their original musical blend. On their new album the band weave their magic on ten new songs, three instrumentals and a cover of Jagger and Richards’s No Expectations. The trio of Ben, Constance and Maurice work together in perfect symmetry, each member providing an equal measure of musicianship and creativity that helps build the Spikedrivers’ individual sound. Ben’s compositions range from the vibrant tempos of Young & Stupid and Wrong Way Henry to the melancholy of Morning Train, Blues To The River and the instrumental Scarecrow Eyes. Constance’s Gypsy Wind has a jazzy tinge while her Angel Of Blue is downright eerie. Maurice provides a lighter counterpoint singing his Goodbye Mr. Blues and the collectively written Two Left Feet. Admirably inventive, Ain’t It Real is a subtle and rewarding listen that warrants multiple replays.

Dave Peabody - fRoots

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Big City Rhythm & Blues (US) - Dec 05/Jan06

The Delta blues and beyond Spikedrivers, who have a strong fan base throughout the UK and Europe, are a talented trio that seem to be constantly on the road. Ben Tyzack from South Carolina who founded the group in 1992 plays a variety of guitars (particularly fine resonator), harmonica and kazoo while Hollywood born Constance Redgrave contributes dove-tailing bass and percussion, and Maurice McElroy staunchly lives up to his ‘Groove Meister’ nickname on drums and percussion instruments including Moroccan bongos, udu drum (most noticeably) and Leedy temple blocks. All three sing marvelously and compose alternately chilling, nostalgic and reflective songs – the sole cover is a slide guitar-soulful exploration of the Rolling Stones bare-bone blues "No Expectations’, a live favorite for years that they finally decided to commit to disc.

A trio of instrumentals pliantly reveals the connective chemistry that makes their music so unique. No rough edges, odd angles or catch-up-if-you-can curves here as the Fahey-esque “Scarecrow Eyes” a restlessly riffing, easy gaited “Smoochin” (both by Tyzack) and the brief set-closing exotica “Waterfall” exhibit a collaborative momentum and genius that is constantly arresting and aurally provocative. Eye-openers among the other cuts encompass an incantatory, intensely moving “Morning Train” (with some proselytizing harp work from Tyzack), McElroy’s Taj Mahal-ish “Goodbye Mr. Blues”, a hasty ode to life on the road titled “Wrong Way Henry”, Redgrave’s American Indian accented “Angel Of Blue”, and the jug-band spirited “Wear Out My Name.” Redgrave’s jazzy, devil-may-care vocal turn on her own “Gypsy Wind”, complemented swingingly, yin and yangingly by Tyzack’s acoustic guitar finger picking is also noted.

These are three chops-rich musicians with ambition to spare with no lack of fresh ideas. Behold the photo of Ben with his entire Iowa/South Carolina/Georgia beer can collection on the band's newly freshened website at www.spikedrivers.net.

Gary von Tersch - Big City Rhythm & Blues

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Living Blues (US) - November 2005

This London based trio was first formed by Ben Tyzack in 1992, and the present line up of Tyzack (vocals, guitar and harmonica), Constance Redgrave (vocals, bass and percussion), and Maurice McElroy (vocals, drums and percussion) has been working together since 2000. They are one of the UK’s busiest bands touring throughout the UK and Europe, appearing at all of the major clubs and festivals.

Their music is a mixture of American roots and world music with a strong emphasis on the blues - all performed with equal commitment and energy. This latest outing has 14 original compositions and one cover, of the Rolling Stones song No Expectations. The lead vocals from Tyzack are engaging and natural and his highly crafted guitar work, including some delicious bottleneck, reminds one at times of Mississippi John Hurt. Both Redgrave and McElroy share the vocals, adding their distinctive personalities. All of the material is skilfully arranged and a number of the titles have a timeless quality, looking back to their early influences while adding contemporary ideas.

This confident trio has chosen material with integrity and with creativity. They use interesting instruments such as an udu drum and leedy temple blocks to great effect, making this a highly recommended set from one of the UK’s most in-demand bands.

Robert Tilling - Living Blues

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Blues In Britain (UK) - October 2005

The Spikedrivers will be no strangers to Blues in Britain readers, for over the past few years their live gigs and past recordings have already been highly praised, and I can only do the same with this recent outstanding set.

I was fortunate to see the band perform at the very successful Blues and Beyond Festival, held in Stroud earlier this year, and was greatly impressed by their intriguing choice of material and engaging stage presence. The band was first set up during 1992 by Ben Tyzack (vocals, guitar, kazoo and harmonica) and the line up today have been working together since 2000, and have built up a very strong following throughout the UK and Europe.

All but one of the fifteen titles are originals, including two instrumentals. While most of the titles are written by Tyzack, both Constance Redgrave (vocals, bass, and percussion) and Maurice McElroy (vocals, drums and percussion) make valuable writing contributions. Although much of this material has strong blues overtones their wide musical interests shine through. There are suggestions of West African/Mali sounds in "Hold Me Still" and I was reminded a little of J.J. Cale in "Gypsy Wind" - this Redgrave original has an infectious jazzy bounce and is certainly one of the very fine moments.

I have always enjoyed Tyzack's vocals and with this very entertaining set they are more captivating than ever while his guitar playing, including some gutsy crystal clear slide work, is inventive and creative. I have always admired the way in which these three very talented musicians are willing to experiment and evoke unusual contemporary sounds while keeping their feet firmly in the past with the music they love. They work sympathetically together allowing each other plenty of space in which to express their own individuality and all with impressive skill, integrity and commitment.

The deep and evocate hollow thud of McElroy's udu drum gives a unique atmosphere to a number of the titles, while the use of other unusual percussion instruments adds interest and intrigue throughout. Tyzack proves to be a very imaginative and poetic writer and McElroy's only original "Goodbye Mr. Blues" shows that they also have a sense of humour. There is a surreal quality to the Redgrave original "Angel Of Blue" and the short but lyrical instrumental "Waterfall" brings this high quality set to a perfect end.

Rating:9

Bob Tilling - Blues In Britain

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Blues Matters (UK) - August 2005

A new CD from the SPIKEdrivers is an eagerly awaited occasion. Constance, Ben & Maurice have such a unique approach and style and always come up with a few surprises and their latest offering is no exception. With 14 of the 15 tracks originals the one cover is of the Mick Jagger/Keith Richards number "No Expectations", a song they have included in their live sets for quite a while to popular acclaim so they thought they would commit it to record.

The CD opens with a wonderfully brooding and laid back number "Devil's Breath" which is moody, mean and gorgeous, "Young & Stupid" is a rocking up-tempo romp whilst Scarecrow Eyes" is the first of three fabulous instrumentals that are so atmospheric that you need to shut out the world and let them pervade your inner soul.

No SPIKEdrivers CD would be complete without some train songs and track four delivers with another moody offering, "Mornin' Train" with haunting backing vocals from Constance and Maurice using his udu drums to great effect behind Ben's sparing guitar, vocals and harmonica. Four tracks in and I am in heaven! Maurice takes the vocals on his own composition, "Goodbye Mr Blues" whilst it is Constance's turn on her composition "Angel of Blue" which contains a middle section which soars away ethereally over the guys chanted backing vocals. There is a gospel feel to "Blues To The River" whilst "Hold Me Still" fades in with some lovely acoustic picking from Ben underpinned by the insistent throb of Maurice on udu drums again.

Another Constance number sees her in torch song mode with the jazzy "Gypsy Wind" which is followed by a real hoe-down with Ben singing, guitaring & singing, no mean feat. "Smoochin'" is another lovely instrumental, "Two Left Feet" which starts with some studio discussion before Maurice launches into another wry and witty observation on life. "No Expectations" features some lovely slide guitar from Ben whilst "Wear Out My Name" is another of those wonderful SPIKEdrivers numbers, which are so much a part of them. The finale is another delicious but all too short instrumental, "Waterfall".

This is yet another masterwork from the SPIKEdrivers and serves to prove if proof were needed why they are in such demand here & in Europe on both the Festival and venue circuit. Three nicer people you could not meet and you will have to go a long way to get a better CD than "Ain't It Real" this year.....

Ashwyn Smyth - Blues Matters

[ Reviews | Track list & MP3s | Lyrics ]
[ Buy now! ]

Track List & MP3s

(MP3 samples in blue.)

Devil's Breath 4:59

Young and Stupid 3:22

Scarecrow Eyes 3:50

Mornin' Train 5:59

Goodbye Mr. Blues 2:24

Angel of Blue 4:09

Blues to the River 4:49

Hold Me Still 5:40

Gypsy Wind 3:26

Wrong Way Henry 3:25

Smoochin' 3:09

Two Left Feet 3:51

No Expectations 5:24

Wear Out My Name 3:10

Waterfall 1:59

[ Reviews | Track list & MP3s | Lyrics ]
[ Buy now! ]

Lyrics

Devil's Breath

Lyrics & Music by Ben Tyzack
Ben - lead vocals - guitar (resonator) percussion
Constance - backing vocals - bass
Maurice - backing vocals - drums
percussion

Nothing moving fast, it's way too hot
Feels like a pressure cooker ready to pop
Slow motion dance in the midday sun

Pray for rain but it don't come

I dream about water, thunder lighting too
I can feel a storm building then it passes by
And all the rivers still..run dry

Still so hot in the middle of night
Red moon shines like blood across the sky
Spanish moss hanging down from the trees

Pray for rain and a cool breeze

I dream about water, thunder lighting too
I can feel a storm building then it passes by
And all the rivers still..run dry

The next day feels like the valley of death
Heavy and hot like the devil's breath
Earth's all cracked, smashed like a plate

Pray for rain but it's too late
Uh uh uh uh uh
Mmm mm mm mm mm ..

Young & Stupid

Lyrics & Music by Ben Tyzack
Ben - lead vocals - guitar (resonator)
Constance -bass
Maurice - drums - percussion

Young and stupid you're so strong
Wanna do right no matter
If it's somebody else's wrong

Young and stupid you know you're the best
But you get so bored
When it turns into a mess

Aint that real, aint that real
Aint it real, aint it real or just the way I feel

Young and stupid you bought the dream
But you wake up in a world that don't seem so clean

Mmmm like a stinking hangover, knocking on my door
I just flip the channel, buy it all one more..

Real, aint that real
Aint it real, aint it real or just the way I feel

Go ask your daddy, ask your daddy's friends
Grab it while you can, before it all comes to an end

Or go cry to mama, but why shed a tear
You've got us scared to death
And now we all live in fear

Young and stupid wins the day
But years from now I wonder
just what they're gonna say

Real, aint that real
Aint that real, aint that real
Aint it real, aint it real or just the way I feel

Scarecrow Eyes

Music by Ben Tyzack
Ben - guitar (resonator)
Constance - bass
Maurice - Leedy Temple Blocks and cymbals

Instrumental

Mornin' Train

Lyrics & Music by Ben Tyzack
Ben - lead vocals - guitar - (lowden) harmonica
Constance - Backing vocals - Bass
Maurice - backing vocals - udu drums percussion

My baby's coming home on that morning train
My baby's coming home on that morning train
She gonna bring me some sweet lovin' kisses all day long
Mmmm baby now I know it wont be long

My baby she been gone lord it feels like years
My baby she been gone lord it feels like years
Now I'm standing at the station thinking 'bout my honey pie
Hear that whistle and it's blowing right on time

Sweet Sunday morning laying in your bed
Sweet Sunday morning laying in your bed
I remember the rain falling gently down
Sweet memories dancing in my head

My baby's coming home on that morning train
My baby's coming home on that morning train
She gonna bring me some sweet lovin' kisses all day long
Mmmm baby now I know it wont be long

My baby's coming home oooh oooh oooh

Goodbye Mr. Blues

Lyrics by Maurice McElroy
Music by The Spikedrivers

Maurice - lead vocals - cajon & tambourine
Ben - backing vocals - guitar (lowden) - harmonica
Constance - backing vocals - bass - washboard

Well goodbye mister blues
I hope you brought your walkin' shoes
Because my baby
Just blew the blues
Right out the door

You've been following me around
Whenever I got up you knocked me down
But now my baby
Just blew the blues
Right out the door

All of my life you've had me dragging my feet on the ground
Every time I tried to smile you turned it upside down
Now I'm standing up straight and I'm looking at a clear blue sky
I've got a spring in my step and a twinkle in my eye

Take all your misery, take all your pain
Don't ever let me see you again
I'm gonna run you right out of town, we don't need your kind hanging around
And if you ever try to come back, I'm gonna throw you in the river in a cotton sack
You tried to make me into your slave, but I'll be dancing on your grave

Because my baby blew the blues, my baby just blew the blues,
Yes my baby she blew the blues
Right out the door

Angel Of Blue

Lyrics & Music by Constance Redgrave
Constance - lead vocals - bass backing vocals
Ben - backing vocals - guitar (resonator) harmonica
Maurice - backing vocals - udu drum percussion

Angel of blue, wings of fire
Angel of blue, preying desire
Hawk on the wind, hungry & proud
Ten thousand feet, screaming out loud

Your arm it could save her
Call her down, call her down
Your arm it could save her
Call her down

Circles too high, close to the sun
Circles too high, nowhere to run
Proud bird of prey, raptor of pain
Ten thousand feet, going insane

Your arm it could save her
Call her down, call her down
Your arm it could save her
Call her down

A gift with no taker, not lost, not found
Higher and higher, far from the ground
Wings gold with fire, scream but no sound'

Your arm it could save her
Call her down, call her down
Your arm it could save her
Call her down

Angel of blue, wings of fire
Angel of blue, preying desire
Hawk on the wind, hungry & proud
Ten thousand feet, screaming out loud

She would kill, she is crying
She would kill, she is dying

Blues To The River

Lyrics & Music by Ben Tyzack
Ben - lead vocals - guitar (lowden) -2nd guitar (hofner committee) - harmonica - percussion
Constance - backing vocals - bass
Maurice - drums - percussion

Take my blues to the river, put my troubles in a paper boat
Watch 'em drift away, aint gonna worry 'bout them today
I'm gonna play a little western swing with my dear old friend Jim
Take my blues to the river and watch them float away

Well I'm sittin' in traffic spinnin' my wheels
Gettin' wound up is all I feel
I feel full of smoke and city dust
lookin' at the back of a broken down bus
Ohhhhit's gettin' bad but I know what I'm gonna do

Well I used to have nerves of steel
Now gettin' wound up is all I feel
I feel on the edge jus' hangin' on
One of those days everything goes wrong
Ohhhh it's gettin' bad but I know what I'm gonna do

I gotta picture of John Lee sittin' on my dash
An' my old white van jus' seems to last
His boogie blues straight to my heart
I swear to god it helps the car to start
Ohhhh step on the gas 'cause I know what I'm gonna do

Take my blues.

Hold Me Still

Lyrics & Music by Ben Tyzack
Ben - lead vocals - guitar (resonator)
Constance - backing vocals -bass
Maurice - backing vocals - udu drum - percussion

I can't sleep, I can't stop my mind
Eyes are open but my thoughts are blind
Night time rolls by slow as it ever will
When the morning comes take me in your arms and
Hold me still, hold me still

Running down every dusty road
Singing the Blues reaching down in my soul
'til I can't feel at all
Well I need my home where your
love comes down like a
Waterfall, waterfall

As I gaze up to the stars
And I wonder where you are
So I'll count them on my own
'til your love, brings me home

Hold me still
still so far from home
Hold me still
still running down the road
Night time rolls by, slow as it ever will
When the morning comes take me in your arms and
Hold me still,
Hold me still,
Hold me still,
still where your love will bring me home

Gypsy Wind

Lyrics & Music by Constance Redgrave
Constance - lead vocals - bass
Ben - guitar (gibson 125)
Maurice - drums

Gypsy Wind, howling through my heart
Devil wind, blowing us apart

September calls, sirocco sings
Ache in my heart, beating of wings
Hollow eyes, lost and alone
Locked in this dance from the day I was born

Gypsy Wind, howling through my heart
Devil wind, blowing us apart

Blinding light, desert sun
Tear stained lashes, smoking gun
Burning feet walking away
Go back to her because I can't stay

Gypsy Wind, howling through my heart
Devil wind, blowing us apart

Can't hold the wind when it's blowing away
Can't feel the moon on a sunny day
Can't fix a broken heart with a song
Can't hold a gypsy when she's already gone

Northern lights, top of the world
Journeys end, wings unfurled
Icy heights, soaring alone
Crimson skies calling you home

Gypsy Wind, howling through my heart
Devil wind, blowing us apart

Wrong Way Henry

Lyrics & Music by Ben Tyzack
Ben - lead vocals - guitar (resonator) - harmonica
Constance - backing vocals - bass
Maurice - backing vocals - drums - percussion

Alarm bell ringin' in the middle of the night
Fall out of bed reachin' for the light
Drink enough coffee, keep you up for a week
All you can think about sleep, sleep, sleep

Drivin' on empty, livin' on luck
Put your duds on in the back of a truck
No time to eat jus' a grab your hat
Hit the ground runnin' don't look back

Well my heart beats like a drum, an' my mind's runnin' wild
Always chasin' the sun, flyin' 'round as the
World, turns an' it's one more time (to)

Rollin' th' mornin', rockin' th' evenin'
Layin' it down, singin' all night long
Wakin' up early, hittin' the highway
Keepin' it rollin', an' it don't slow down

Cars, trains, more cars planes

Wrong way Henry in the fast lane
Don't think about bein' hungry an' tired
Burn up the groove like a house on fire

Rollin' th' mornin', rockin' th' evenin'
Layin' it down, singin' all night long
Wakin' up early, hittin' the highway
Keepin' it rollin', an' it don't slow down

Well my heart beats like a drum, an' my mind's runnin' wild
Always chasin' the sun, flyin' 'round as the
World, turns an' it's one more time

Rollin' th' mornin', rockin' th' evenin'
heart beats like a drum,
Layin' it down, singin' all night long
an' my mind's runnin' wild
Wakin' up early, hittin' the highway
Always chasin' the sun
Keepin' it rollin', an' it don't slow down
flyin' 'round and it don't slow down

Smoochin' On The Train

Music by Ben Tyzack
Ben - guitar - guitar (resonator)
Constance - bass
Maurice - drums

Instrumental

Two Left Feet

Lyrics & Music by The Spikedrivers
Maurice - lead vocals - cymbal
Ben - backing vocals - guitar (gibson125) - kazoo
Constance - backing vocals - bass - vocal effect

Well my hair's looking good my clothes are so fine
when I hit the stage I'm gonna make that audience mine
but I can't sing in key and I can't find the beat
going round in circles I got two left feet

well there ain't no right, there ain't no wrong
there ain't no way to get out of this song
I keep looking for a bridge down a dead end street
going round in circles got two left feet

life on the road with my wheels spinnin' round
got my head in the clouds
with both of my feet just touchin' the ground

my baby left me for a man with a left and right
with my two left feet, how could I put up a fight
now they walk hand in hand down lovers lane
and I feel one-sided and racked with pain

but I got what I got, and I do what I do
found me a special man who makes special shoes
and I learned how to use 'em to get what I get
now i walk over fools with one big step

life on the road with my wheels spinnin' round
got my head in the clouds
with both of my feet just touchin' the ground

well there ain't no right, there ain't no wrong
'cos I do it my way I sing my own song
I can go north, south, east, west anywhere I choose
Going round in circles, I got the two left feet......walking blues

No Expectations

Lyrics & Music by M. Jagger & K. Richards
Ben - lead vocals - guitar (hofner committee)
Constance - bass
Maurice - drums

Wear Out My Name

Lyrics & Music by Ben Tyzack
Ben - - lead vocals - guitar (resonator)
Constance - backing vocals - bass
Maurice - backing vocals - percussion

You can wear high-heeled shoes and strut your stuff
But stop calling after me, enough is enough

Doncha wear out my name, wear out my name
Doncha wear out my name, wear out my name
I hear your voice in my head, It's always the same
Now doncha.

You can make up your face and wear your best
Serve it up on a plate in a low cut dress but

Doncha wear out my name, wear out my name
Doncha wear out my name, wear out my name
You can wear my hat and my coat in the pouring rain
But doncha.

Well you can burn out the clutch in my brand new automobile
Wreck the whole car, 'til there's nothin' left to steal but

Doncha wear out my name, wear out my name
Doncha wear out my name, wear out my name
You can ride my horse 'til it's broke down and lame
But doncha wear out my name

Well you can wear it up north, you can wear it down south
But tell me now baby when your gonna wear out your mouth

Doncha wear out my name, wear out my name
Doncha wear out my name, wear out my name
You can wear out my body 'til I'm walking with a cane
but doncha.

Now you can wear all those things you know I'm gonna like
All men are the same it's just lust at first sight
Doncha wear out my name, wear out my name
Doncha wear out my name, wear out my name
Wear a fur coat over to my house and I'll be glad that you came
but doncha wear out my name

Now doncha ware out my name, wear out my name
You drive my insane
They're gonna put my away and you'll be the blame
Now doncha...

Waterfall

Music by The Spikedrivers
Ben - guitar (resonator)
Constance - bass
Maurice - udu drum - Moroccan bongos - shaker

Instrumental

[ Reviews | Track list & MP3s | Lyrics ]
[ Buy now! ]

Ain't It Real (2005)

Reviews

Track List & MP3s

Lyrics

Devil's Breath

Young & Stupid

Scarecrow Eyes

Mornin' Train

Goodbye Mr. Blues

Angel Of Blue

Blues To The River

Hold Me Still

Gypsy Wind

Wrong Way Henry

Smoochin' On The Train

Two Left Feet

No Expectations

Wear Out My Name

Waterfall