Blues in Britain - March 2005

      Essex Delta Blues CD    

November saw the launch of PhoenixFM.com sponsored “Essex Delta Blues – A Sampler”, a CD featuring tracks from 17 Blues bands and artists put together by Ray Bartrip of Bad Moon Records, himself a noted musician who plays in a number of bands, and Ashwyn Smyth, presenter of Digital Blues, PhoenixFM.com’s twice weekly programme. 

The launch took place at top Essex Blues venue, the New Crawdaddy Blues Club in Billericay where Ashwyn is the resident compere and DJ. The launch, which was attended by a number of the bands and artists who appear on the CD, featured sets from Roy Mette and the Heaters who were joined on stage by various guests.

The CD came about after both Ray & Ashwyn had, quite independently, nurtured the idea of putting together a CD to promote the fine Blues tradition that exists in Essex and a chance telephone conversation led to this collaboration about which they are both very excited.

Ashwyn said: “Since Digital Blues was born on the Internet service of PhoenixFM.com in June 2001 it has become an important resource for the Blues community, both in Brentwood & Billericay and more widely throughout Essex and surrounding areas. From the beginning, one of our main thrusts has been the promotion of both performers and venues through the radio shows and through web-based gig guides, news pages, e-mailings etc. We were honoured when we were described by a top Essex band who play all over the UK, Europe & Scandinavia as being “the voice of the Blues for Essex”.

This CD is a logical progression of this work as far as Digital Blues is concerned and we are undertaking a programme of mailing copies of the CD to venues, promoters, radio stations etc. to bring to their attention the wealth of talent that resides in Essex and, we hope, to persuade them to give them airplay, gigs etc.”

The tracks were recorded all over Essex although a number were laid down at Ray Bartrip’s Moon Studios in Romford. Ray said ”There has always been some formidable musical talent in Essex, much of which never gets recorded. I wanted not only to create a showcase to bring these bands to the attention of a wider audience but to create, with this and possible subsequent albums, an historic archive of the great Blues and R’n’B coming from our county”.

Ray & Ashwyn hoped that the CD would help promote the wonderfully varied bill of fare that is the Blues in the county unfortunately better known for its less cultural traits! After some months’ work, they had more than 70 minutes of music which mines the rich vein of talent with which the county is blessed.

Essex has long had a tradition of top class musicians, some excellent venues and a great heart. Bands such as Dr. Feelgood firmly established the Essex Delta sound and spawned many imitators, not just here in the county. But more than that, they encouraged bands to have a go and get out there to play! Today, Essex is well known for the Feelgoods, The Hamsters and the Cadillac Kings to name but a few, but they are just the tip of the iceberg.

As Ashwyn says in the sleeve notes “On this CD we offer just a taste of what else the Essex Blues scene has to offer but, like any good appetiser, I am sure it will leave you wanting more. If nothing else, this CD proves to anyone who doubted it that the Blues are alive and thriving in Essex and that London & the Home Counties do not have the monopoly as far as talent goes!”

Featuring more than fifty percent original material, the CD tracks cover a wide spectrum from the stunning solo work of Roy Mette, through duos such as the Jives, Los Tres Armadillos, a Burnham based trio, to top Essex bands such as Bad Town Blues, the Rockin’ Armadillos, the Swamp Cats and many more. Local representation is by Brentwood’s Temperton Bones and Clive Mulcahy, guitarist & singer with bad Town Blues and Billericay’s Andy Robinson Band.Supporting Essex Blues

What they are saying about the Essex Delta Blues CD