Album: Ian Siegal, Meat & Potatoes (Nugene)
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ian Siegal's live shows confirm him as the leading bluesman in Britain. Their sweaty catharsis is hinted at here.
He makes no effort to anglicise the blues, and is generations away from Willie Nelson's minimalist ease. Instead, Siegal growls and barks, a young man trying to grapple the old blues' secrets to the ground. His take on "John the Revelator" relishes the genre's early Biblical language. There are nods to Sam Cooke and James Brown, enhanced by Jonny Henderson's Hammond, and hints he's heard rap, or maybe Dylan, on "Work". But the dissolution of "Brandy Balloon" isn't articulated in his own language yet.
The move from blues to soul, and vocal aggression to something slyer and more questing apparent in his shows, may make the difference. The next album should see him make his mark.
Pick of the album:"Revelator (John the Apostle)", "Butter-Side Up", "Work", "She Got the Devil In Her/ I Gotta Try You Baby"
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments