Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Californian Will Derryberry has got the blues big time! Like Clapton he draws on the blues influences of his youth but sets them into music which although blues-based, is broader when delivered in this live setting, live August 31,1999'was recorded at The Sunset Auditorium in California with the three-piece band augmented by keyboards. It's sort of studio fresh but with the added vibe of a live gig although the audience are nicely down in the mix. This is one hot band, capable of the poppy pleasure of "I Think I Saw An Angel" as well as the slow, bluesy "Hear My Cry" and a respectable of the much recorded "Before You Accuse Me". Two highlights for me are the bouncing, shuffling blues of "This Train" and the workmanlike opener "Alright" which sets this album up. However, it's the delicious blues ballad "And You Will Be Free" which stopped me in my tracks when I heard it. Spiritual themes run through all these songs but this album is strong enough to stand in the mainstream, and Will Derryberry and his band have the chops to pull this off every time. Me? I dream of seeing them in a packed club somewhere!

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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