Dave Thomas – Bridge Street Blues
Well, fortunately, veteran British traditional contemporary blues-guitarist Dave Thomas sings his blues better than the late Roy Buchanan. Roy was a masterful guitarist, but his vocals were a bit lackadaisical. Dave’s vocals aren’t as lived-in as the elders’, but he’s not a novice. “City Streets,” & “Gone For Good” are both thick with the blues tradition, a punctuating harmonica & Thomas’ dependable voice. He’s always convincing & the guitar work, while not as Roy Buchanan-infused, the guitar is persuasive & has depth. Dave sings with a laid-back charm & adds enthusiasm as needed.
So, if Italian rock singer Eugenio Finardi can record an all-English blues LP (“Anima Blues”) in Milan, Italy & get it played widely in Texas, why not this Ireland-recorded blues trek by Mr. Thomas? He loses none of the blues’ significance geographically. The world is getting smaller. “Big Fast Car” is another slow, cool drip of notes into a barrel of the blues. It has resonance, mood, & a polished finish that doesn’t diminish its old-world tradition. Thomas follows with the delightful “Honey.”
There are 10 road-worn pieces of wisdom with the pull of the vintage genre on Bridge Street Blues (Drops May 15/Direct Records/38:58), produced skillfully by Declan Sinnott (guitar/all other instruments). Yes, there are a few “entertaining” blues akin to The Fabulous Thunderbirds, like “Mr. Moonshine” that, for my taste, is like house whiskey, doesn’t give me a buzz. But I understand many people aren’t true Blues aficionados, or whiskey drinkers (with an “e” because it’s Irish). However, “All Loved Up” is far better as that type of blues, given pub strength with a fiery harmonica & horns.
But Mr. Thomas hasn’t sanded the blues finish down to a varnished perfection since that would drain the idea right out of his material. Instead, he formulates a vocal somewhere between Duster Bennett, Paul Butterfield & Al Wilson. “Busted” is flint & steel. Perfect for the 1966 Paul Butterfield Blues Band with Mike Bloomfield – if only.
Next is a Barry Goldberg Reunion-type set — “I Know You Through & Through.” As close to commercial blues without being pompous. This is warm in application, cool in execution. Dave’s vocal intonation & phrasing is perfection. The wah-wah guitar, followed by the clarity & expressiveness of the main solo, gives it gravity. Most blues artists are good — the way frosty, foamy lager pours. But Dave Thomas – well, he tips the musical glass as a fortified Black & Tan. I’ll have another…
Highlights – “City Streets,” “Gone For Good,” “Big Fast Car,” “Busted,” “I Know You Through & Through,” & “All Loved Up.”
CD cover B&W portrait by Pete Smith. CD @ CDBaby/Apple Music & https://davethomasblues.uk/ & https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/bridge-street-blues-dave-thomas/pw7f032yjtmr4