Hans Theessink Slow Train ( 180g vinyl LP )

Release date 12-04-2007

2007 EU pressing 180g vinyl LP - Slow Train was nominated for the Amadeus Austrian Music Award for best jazz/blues/folk album of the year. They call him the Eurobluesman, and he's one of the few Europeans to make a very convincing fist of the blues. At it for many years, he's recorded an excellent catalog of material, and this is no exception. There's plenty of space here, which is something that suits his very relaxed style, so laid-back that at times it seems as if he couldn't be more at home. But when you consider that one of his inspirations must be J.J. Cale, that's perhaps not too surprising.

A deft instrumentalist, playing guitar, mandolin, harmonica, banjo, and mandoguitar, he uses the instruments sparingly and well, allowing his lovely, warm voice to dominate. There's backing, of course, but the arrangements are happily spare, and the African backing singers add a touch that's not so much exotic as just right, but remarkably more redolent of South Africa than the homes of the blues in West Africa. But never mind, it fits, just like everything on this very satisfying disc.All Music

Tracks:
A1 Slow Train
A2 Katrina
A3 God Created The World
A4 Thula Mama - Oh Mother Don't You Weep
A5 Love You Baby

B1 Old Man Trouble
B2 Leaving At Daybreak
B3 May The Road
B4 Run On For A Long Time
B5 When Luther Played The Blues