Danny Bryant has long been a wonderfully expressive guitarist, but his songwriting and singing haven't always matched the calibre of that sumptuous fretwork. Until now. 'Blood Money', the ninth album of his career, finds him in the form of his life. His all round game is mightily impressive on a record he describes as his “most bluesy” to date.
Bryant’s previous two efforts – both helmed by returning producer Richard Hammerton – attempted to broaden his aesthetic, but 2012's 'Hurricane' sounded unsure of itself, often falling prey to cliché and imitation a result. The much improved 'Temperature Rising' suggested he was finding his place in a modern blues-rock world and greatness wasn't far away. 'Blood Money' delivers on that promise, even if the concept initially seemed somewhat regressive.
The idea was to revisit the records that shaped his musical journey and write a batch of blues songs in the style of his heroes, a couple of whom make stunning cameo appearances as Bryant does his beloved genre proud.
The resurgent Walter Trout – Bryant's long time friend and mentor – adds hearty vocal clobber to the kiss-off throb of the title track, while former Whitesnake axeman Bernie Marsden appears on a jaw-dropping ballad, Just Won't Burn. To hear the two masters trade solos with such visceral passion is beyond brilliant.
Elsewhere, Unchained broods with Albert King's mean-spirited glare and delivers a slithering funk groove with punchy Stax horns, Sugar Sweet is a ZZ Top chunk of gasoline-powered swagger and Fool's Game's dynamic interplay between dainty licks and heavy bursts tips a lyrical wink to Albert Collins.
Trying to recreate the sounds of yesteryear could have led to a well executed, albeit hollow facsimile of a record. But by pouring so much of himself into every song – combined with increased lyrical panache that explores love, media incitement of racial hatred, the perils of gambling and death – Bryant hurdles that wall, his introspective auteur's voice shining through on the likes of Slow Suicide, a stirring song about mortality.
His vocals, meanwhile, have improved considerably. The monstrous roar of Master Plan, for example, sounds like he conditioned his vocal chords by heading down to the Mississippi delta and swallowing a bucket load of grit from the river bed. He's still a little wobbly in the upper range and will never be a Howlin’ Wolf or Robert Cray, but the feeling with which he brings these songs to life overrides any qualms about technique or tone.
Throughout, his guitar playing is, unsurprisingly, sensational. On The Rocks showcases an intuitive knack for knowing when to play, when to let the space between phrases linger and how effective repeatedly spanking a single note can be, while the aforementioned Just Won't Burn epitomises his unhurried, poetic eloquence and emotional purity.
This confident, commanding and hugely enjoyable record is a testament to how Bryant's personal and musical growth has nourished his ability to not just play the blues, but embody it with every fibre of his being. This is the sound of a man completely at one with his medium, and while others may add a contemporary sheen to the genre, the more traditional path is clearly the one he should be walking.
Danny Bryant Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Wed February 10 2016 - WOLVERHAMPTON Robin 2
Fri February 12 2016 - EDINBURGH Voodoo Rooms
Sun February 14 2016 - LINCOLN Engine Shed
Thu February 18 2016 - DONCASTER Leopard
Thu February 19 2016 - NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms
Fri February 20 2016 - CORBY Raven Hall
Sat February 21 2016 - BISHOP'S CLEEVE Tithe Barn
Thu February 25 2016 - HARPENDEN Harpenden Public Hall
Fri February 26 2016 - GRIMSBY Old Clee Social Club
Sat February 27 2016 - NORWICH Waterfront Norwich
Sun February 28 2016 - GRAVESEND Leo's
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