'Ain't It Real'

SPIKEdrivers

Blues In Britain, Blues Matters & Living Blues

November 2005

“…more captivating than ever…9 out of 10.” – Blues In Britain UK

Blues In Britain - 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 

" …moody, mean and gorgeous…

…you will have to go a long way to get a better CD this year".  - Blues Matters UK

Blues Matters - 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 - Digital Blues

“…highly recommended” - Living Blues USA

Living Blues -  2005

Spikdrivers - Ain’t It Real - Scratchy Records CD 151104

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.

-RT

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