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Live At High Barn CD (2008) |
[ Reviews | Track list & MP3s | Lyrics | | Buy now! ]
Reviews
"... just buy this hugely entertaining CD by one the best on the circuit".
Blues Matters
"Nobody plays like them. Nobody sounds like them".
" ...moody, mean and gorgeous......".
"Ben Tyzack’s voice is distinct and his slide guitar impeccable throughout.
This recording captures the intensity and dynamics of a live Spikes show,
how they build it up, and take it down, depicting exactly how they are live."
Rating: 8
Blues in Britain
"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."
Bob Tilling – Blues in Britain
|
Living Blues (USA) February 2009 Bob Tilling This London, England-based trio has been working together now for over ten years, gaining a strong following all over Europe through appearances at many major clubs and festivals. Both Ben Tyzack (vocals, harmonica and guitar) and Constance Redgrave (vocals, bass guitar and percussion were brought up in the United States and now live permanently in the U.K, while Maurice McElroy (vocals, drums and percussion) hails from Belfast, Northern Ireland.. Together, they bring a wealth of experience in many styles of music, but their roots in the blues and world music seem strongest. This 13-track release is their first live recording, and it certainly captures the energy and excitement of their stage show. They can really kick up a storm, often getting the audience up on their feet and dancing with the fast-tempoed high-energy titles?? Such as the two, Ghost Train Shuffle and Crazy Man, that open this set. With equal skill they can bring the tempo down to a gentle lilt, as with Hold Me Still, and still keep the audience captivated. The trio is skillfully led by Tyzack, whose beautifully crafted slide guitar work is impeccable throughout and at its most atmospheric on Scarecrow Eyes. He captures the driving power of the Elmore James classic I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom. The Spikedrivers give this song a distinctive quality, as they do with Howlin’ Wolf’s evergreen Lil’ Red Rooster. Lead vocalist Tyzack has a strong and natural blues voice, and the backing vocals from Redgrave and McElroy add class and energy as each takes a solo track with great confidence. The bass from Redgrave is as solid as you can get and McElroy’s drumming adds tremendous depth. This is good foot-tapping quality music-long may it last! NBob Tilling orman Darwen
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Online Reviews Amazon.co.uk I have seen this wonderful trio on a few occasions and they are not only excellent musicians but have such great presence in a live setting. Here Ben (guitars), Constance (bass and washboard) and Maurice (drums and percussion) serve up a mix of classic blues and good time music at a superb live venue, High Barn. The set is beautifully recorded and shows just what a great live band they are. If you like Seasick Steve, then listen to Spikedrivers because they are even better, and deserve to be heard, at times rocking' along the blues at other times that gentle acoustic sound a little similar to Eric Bibb. This all adds up to a wonderful set of music sung by all members of the band, some astounding slide work by Ben, with a solid rhythm layer on bass and drums. You really must hear this album and treat yourself to one of our very best bands playing music that will get you tapping along on the boogie tunes and just sitting back and absorbing their slower material, all through every song makes this a very wonderful album not to be missed. Oh and Jools please get them on your tv show please they would then really get the credit they so deserve. Amazon.co.uk This CD really does show the Spikedrivers at their best. I've seen this band a number of times at different venues and wanted to capture it for myself; well here we have someone who's done it for me.The sound is excellent, proving what a great production team they have at the High Barn. Buy this CD, sit back, listen to the great music and enjoy a great evening with a bottle of what you like... ******
|
Blues News, Finland Mikke Nöjd These days when most of the bands are very loud, it's very nice to meet a group that doesn’t do their trick with only loud volumes and doing mostly acoustic stuff. The Spikedrivers comes from England (Ben Tyzack, Constance Redgrave & Maurice McElroy) they have already a long history together and there is at least three more cds available. Ain’t It Real (1) Devil’s Breath (2) Young & Stupid (3) Scarecrow Eyes (4) Mornin’ Train (5) Goodbye Mr Blues (6) Angel Of Blue (7) Blues To The River (8) Hold Me Still (9) Gypsy Wind (10) Wrong Way Henry (11) Smoochin’ (12) Two Left Feet (13) No Expectations (14) Wear Out My Name (15) Waterfall Live At High Barn Ghost Train Shuffle (2) Crazy Man (3) Blue Trash (4) Layin’Down Lincolns (5) Two Left Feet (6) Hold Me Still (7) Grampa Was A Moonshiner (8) Lil’Red Rooster (9) Scarecrow Eyes (10) Soul Searchin’ Blues (11) I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom (12) Young And Stupid (13) Shake Your Hips Playing acoustic and not so loud are both very much yes. What I find out as a problem is that the band are drawing from two very different musical lines. From one side they trust in an old fashion country-blues side, and on the other hand they are reaching for a folk kind of music. The blues kinda stuff is very good on the record, sometimes very-very good, but about that folk thing I don't like. The band has been performing a lot in various folk- and world music- happenings. From the folk-side comes an instrumental (track 3), that has a very nice mood, a ballad (track 4), a slow number (track 8), a Rolling Stones cover (track 13) and an instrumental that ends the album (track 15). The worst track is (track 6), sung by Constance. The song is kinda strange way-out psychedelic something kinda thing. On the most tracks it's Ben the guitarist who takes care of the singing. If Constance took care one of the worst tracks (track 6), so she gives us also one of the finest moments on the album. Track (9) rolls around with a good-mood and in a kind of light-swing-jazz tempo. Track (2) is a steady straight-forward rocker, witch works fine without too many tricks, and I put the instrumental (track 11) much in the same category. The opening track takes us straight to the Delta, and the dark-coloured song is very impressive. I found old-timey blues moods on such tracks as (5), (7), especially forward tempo (track 10), and (track 14). Track (12) is also a very old-fashioned song, it's a kind of novelty-blues, and it's very funny too. I know I shouldn't, but I just have to draw very strong lines between these two albums. The split between the blues and the folk -music are still going on, but I have to mention that in a live situation the intensity grows strongly. As a fast look I put (track 3) in the folk-category, or if I want to be clever in the world-music -category. Track (6) with all these tingle-tangles is really not going anywhere. In this category is the best (track 9), with some really nice moods. From the blues side comes the two opening tracks, (track 1) is quite funny boogie number, and the solos have a jam session kinda feeling. Track (2) grows from an acoustic number to an electric shuffle number, and it rolls very well. Country-blues number (4) is a steady number and as a clever idea there is a piece of ”Roll & Tumble” mixed in between. The novelty number (track 5) was already mentioned as a studio version, it's still working great. Also on the studio album was (track 12), this one has changed to a more rocking style. Only track Constance is singing on these albums is (track 7). It's a kind of strange number. I'd call this “indian-blues”, it's something that Tom Waits might do. All the covers were left here in the end, (track 8) is naturally a Howlin' Wolf classic, and the version is very good. Best known by Robert Johnson or Elmore James is (track 11) is working fine as a hard rocking version. And the Slim Harpo number ends the album, it's quite a good version, but nearly ten minutes it's too much, even with all these live feelings. Oops! I missed one (track 10) is a good shuffle number with some great slide-guitar included. If you don't let these two different lines bother you, so it's for sure worth listening out. And if you have to choose between these two albums, it's the live-album that gets the higher points. Mikke Nöjd
|
Blues Matters December 2008 Norman Darwen This is the first live album from this Anglo-Irish-American three-piece and it has certainly been worth the wait. It is not difficult to understand why they have built up such a large and loyal following. The big, crystal clear sound shows they have a way with impressive rocking Blues, such as Ghost Train Shuffle and Soul Searchin Blues, or a slower more introspective original such as Blue Trash, with Ben Tyzack’s authentic vocals, excellent slide guitar and its unusual, effective and insistent percussion backing. Their approach could be defined as Delta Blues plus, as the band is strongly rooted in the tradition but unafraid to introduce other elements – take a listen to the percussion, which can sometimes recall Doctor Ross’s mention of being accompanied by someone scraping a broom across the floor or the Indian drumming on that aforementioned Blue Trash. Or try the very English vocals of Two Left Feet. Or lend an ear to the delicately picked Hold Me Still. Or the ever-increasing energy as the set draws to a close. Or better still just buy this hugely entertaining CD by one the best on the circuit. Norman Darwen
|
Blues in Britain December 2008 Frank Franklin This is the first and overdue release of a live session from blues club-circuit and festival favourites The Spikedrivers. Ghost Train Shuffle and Crazy Man open proceeding with good tempo. The tone changes with the comparatively new Blue Trash and its percussive resonance. Perennial favourite Layin Down Lincolns precedes the Mahal/Bibb influenced Hold Me Still. This in turn is sandwiched between drummer Maurice McElroy’s Two Left Feet and bassist Constance Redgrave’s unsettling Grampa Was A Moonshiner feature. The first of three covers, Dixon’s Lil Red Rooster is done with a Green/Albatrosse-esque backdrop and followed by the atmospheric instrumental Scarecrow Eyes. The tempo is upped again with Soul Searchin Blues and official set closer. Johnson's Two encores ensue: Young and Stupid and Moore’s Ben Tyzack’s voice is distinct and his slide guitar impeccable throughout. This recording captures the intensity and dynamics of a live Spikes show, how they build it up, and take it down, depicting exactly how they are live. Rating: 8 |
[ Reviews | Track list & MP3s | Lyrics ]
[ Buy now! ]
Track List & MP3s
(MP3 samples in blue.)
Blue Trash 7:10
Layin' Down Lincolns 4:52
Grampa Was A Moonshiner 5:33
Lil' Red Rooster 5:53
Scarecrow Eyes 3:49
Soul Searchin'Blues 3:37
I Believe I'll Dust My Broom 6:02
Shake Your Hips 8:56
[ Reviews | Track list & MP3s | Lyrics ]
[ Buy now! ]
Lyrics
Ghost Train Shuffle
Lyrics & Music by Ben Tyzack
Ben - lead vocals - guitar (Gibson 125) percussion
Constance - backing vocals - bass
Maurice - backing vocals - drums
Early in the mornin’ waitin’ for that train
Take me back down south again
Whistle blowin’ seems to cry in pain
Feelin’ the rhythm shakin’ the track
Rattle and rollin’ Ghost train bring it on back
Gonna hitch a ride got nothin’ to loose
Sittin’ in a boxcar singin’ the blues
Strummin’ my way down to Baton Rouge
Feelin’ the rhythm shakin’ the track
Rattle and rollin’ Ghost train bring it on back
No aeroplane
No fast lane
No quick electric train’s got a soul
I need to feel that old engine
Go rollin’ over hard railroad steel
Pickin’ up speed on the southern line
Watchin’ those cotton fields go by
Won’t be long ‘til I’m home an’ dry
Feelin’ the rhythm shakin’ the track
Rattle and rollin’ Ghost train bring it on back
Well it’s been so long since I jumped a train
I need to feel that rhythm once again
Whistle blowin’ seems to cry in pain
See smoke rise into the sky
Ride that train one more time’ fore I die
No aeroplane
No fast lane
No quick electric train’s got a soul
I need to feel that old engine
Go rollin’ over hard …
Crazy Man
Lyrics & Music by Ben Tyzack
Ben - lead vocals - guitar (Hofner)
Constance - backing vocals - bass
Maurice - backing vocals - drums - percussion
My my mind wont slow down and let me sleep
My my mind wont slow down and let me sleep
When I close my eyes I see the way it used to be
My my mind is giving up on me
My my mind is giving up on me
Well I can’t stop thing how my life should be
Feel my blood racing all through my veins
Feel my blood racing all through my veins
Well I feel my heart pound like a runaway train
My my mind wont slow down and let me sleep
My my mind wont slow down and let me sleep
When I close my eyes I see the way it used to be
Blue Trash
Lyrics & Music by Ben Tyzack
Ben - lead vocals - baritone guitar (Lowden) - harmonica
Constance - backing vocals - washboard
Maurice - Udu drum
You can take your trash from a trailer
You can take you trash to the street
You can take all your trash to the big city dump
mmm … but you can't take it out of me
So let me be, who I am
Just a lonely boy from a little town near Birmingham
I got the Blues so bad, but the Blues don't want me
I'm just a lonely boy who I am, let me be
They try and keep you in a little box
Then say they've lost the key
Well no box is strong enough for my imagination
No they can't take that away from me
So let me be, left alone
Just a lonely boy from a southern town that was my home
I got the Blues so bad, but the Blues don't want me
I'm just a lonely boy who I am, let me be
They say 'Boy, you can't play the blues'
Like they're on some kind of throne
Well I ain't tryin' to play nobody else's way
mmm… I just workin' on my own
So let me be, with all my might
Just a lonely boy who moved around all his life
I got the blues……..so bad
And now they've got me
I'm just a lonely boy who I am, so let me be
Layin' Down Lincolns
Lyrics & Music by Ben Tyzack
Ben - lead vocals - baritone guitar (Lowden)
Constance - backing vocals - washboard
Maurice - backing vocals - cajon
Take a penny make a wish, lay it on the track
Take a penny make a wish, lay it on the track
When a freight train comes, bring good luck back
If it stays on the line, wishes all come true
If it stays on the line, wishes all come true
But if it falls by the side, devils after you
Layin' down Lincolns, on the railroad line
Layin' down Lincolns, on the railroad line
How you risk your life, just to pass the time
Take a penny make a wish, lay it on the track
Take a penny make a wish, lay it on the track
When a freight train comes, bring good luck back
Two Left Feet
Lyrics & Music by The Spikedrivers
Maurice - lead vocals - cymbal
Ben - backing vocals - guitar (Gibson 125)
Constance - backing vocals - bass
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
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
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
Hold Me Still
Lyrics & Music by Ben Tyzack
Ben - lead vocals - guitar (Martin Backpacker)
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
Grampa Was A Moonshiner
Lyrics by Constance Redgrave - Music by Spikedrivers
Constance - lead vocals - washboard - percussion
Ben - backing vocals - baritone guitar (Lowden) - harmonica
Maurice - drums - percussion
Grampa was a moonshiner
Played rub board with the band
And Grandma was an Indian
Ran her house with an iron hand
And all the little babies
Grew up redneck as a snake
The Grapes of Wrath
Was an evil path
Made of get what you can take
Don't get angry, just get gone
Don't get even, get along
Till the good Lord rights the wrong
Dust yourself off and walk on.
They got dusk and they got hungry
And a dirt floor shack for seven
The preacher lost his battle for
That place he called heaven
And all the little babies
Dreamed in angry shades of red
Played the devils tune,
Howling at the moon
Woke up mean as a copperhead.
Don't get angry, just get gone
Don't get even, get along
Till the good Lord rights the wrong
Dust yourself off and walk on.
Grampa was a moonshiner
Till Grandma said he was through
Meet ol' Bob at the door with a shotgun
Weren't much those boys could do
And all the little babies
Rung their momma everyday
Danced their lives in pain
Raised their kids insane
The American way.
Don't get angry, just get gone
Don't get even, get along
Till the good Lord rights the wrong
Dust yourself off and walk on.
Lil' Red Rooster
Lyrics & Music by Willie Dixon
Ben - lead vocals - guitar (resonator)
Constance - bass
Maurice - Drums - Udu drum - percussion
Scarecrow Eyes
Music by Ben Tyzack
Ben - guitar (resonator)
Constance - bass
Maurice - Leedy Temple Blockss and cymbals
Instrumental
Soul Searchin' Blues
Lyrics & Music by Ben Tyzack
Ben - lead vocals - guitar (Hofner) - harmonica
Constance - backing vocals - bass
Maurice - backing vocals - drums - percussion
It's been a long, long, long time
Since I travelled my way home
When I think 'bout the years gone by
And all those miles out on the road
So I'll walk all my life
Ain't gonna stop lord 'till I die
I'm gonna walk 'till all my shoes
Ain't got no soul
Searchin' blues
Well I tried to settle down
And I worked hard as I ever will
But I gave into the sound
Of my feet when they can't stand still
So I'll walk all my life
Ain't gonna stop lord 'till I die
I'm gonna walk 'till all my shoes
Ain't got no soul
Searchin' blues
It's been a long long long time
And now I stand here alone
The house I see once was mine
But my home everywhere I go
So I'll walk all my life
Ain't gonna stop 'till I die
I'm gonna walk 'till all my shoes
Ain't got no soul
Searchin' blues
I'm gonna walk all my life
Ain't gonna stop lord 'till I die
I'm gonna walk 'till all my shoes
Ain't got no soul
Searchin' blues
I Believe I'll Dust My Broom
Music by Robert Johnson
Ben - lead vocals- guitar (Hofner)
Constance - backing vocals, bass
Maurice - drums
Young And Stupid
Lyrics & Music by Ben Tyzack
Ben - lead vocals - guitar (resonator)
Constance -backing vocals, 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 once 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
Shake Your Hips
Lyrics & Music by James Moore
Ben - lead vocals - guitar (resonator)
Constance - backing vocals, bass
Maurice -backing vocals, drums
[ Reviews | Track list & MP3s | Lyrics ]
[ Buy now! ]
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