Danny Bryant

Danny Bryant said about 'Blood Money' - “I wanted to make this album ever since I began my musical journey 20 years ago as a 15 year old boy who fell in love with his parent’s record collection.” On 'Blood Money', Bryant set out to record an album that showed an introspective return to his roots and an appreciation of his Blues influences, by paying homage, as he puts it “to all the different influences and flavours of this wonderful music that I have loved for many years.” I only read this after I listened to the album and had started penning the review – DB listed his influences for some of the songs – I found myself listing my own and I am sure others will add theirs when they hear this excellent album.



'Blood Money' - the title track kicks of the album which is brave as normally the quality of the track the album is named after decides how good it is – no worries here as this track sets the tone. Walter Trout guests on this one and from the moment DB’s Joe Cocker like vocals kick in together with the choppy repetitive riffs you are waiting for the two to round things off with their solos – DB and WT don’t disappoint – now we know why this track is the opener.



'Master Plan' - I can picture it now – roof down, 90 degrees driving through the Florida Keys with 'Master Plan' blaring out – DB says he is a freight train in this one but it is my road song from the album – the repetitive riffs do remind you off a train rolling along but for me it’s a Cadillac – air guitar time unless you are driving of course!!



'Slow Suicide' - a haunting traditional Blues song with a beautifully played weeping guitar solo. The song builds nicely – a real lighters/camera phone job – enough said!!



'Unchained' shows us the funkier side of DB – I can imagine a lot of bumping and grinding going on to this one. The song has a great backing groove going complemented by DB letting go with a withering solo.



'On the Rocks' - I’m not a great instrumental fan but this is different as there is so much going on all the way through. I found myself imaging who could be jamming with DB on this – I came up with Chuck Berry – BB King – Thijs Van Leer on keyboard – now that would have been a line up. I am sure others will have their own thoughts.



'Sugar Sweet' is the single from the album and is another road song for me. For me it has Quo's 'In my Chair' and Canned Heats 'Let’s Work Together' feel, both of which I love so Key West here we come!!



'Fools Game' - more from funkmaster DB – and a song about not playing the fools game of gambling – I know a few who have been there and it is a place that has many ramifications not just moneywise but on other people’s lives – well written and hard hitting.



'Holding All the Cards' - no not another gambling song, but about a relationship where one person holds all the cards – been there as well – great keys from Richard Hammerton leads into another trademark DB solo – dare you not to foot tap, head sway, air guitar or all of them to this.



'Just Won’t Burn' with Bernie Marsden – this has everything starting as it means to go on with haunting piano, vocal, guitar solo intro, leading into vocals that feel the heartache of a relationship that has run its course – well for one of the two anyway. The other can’t let go 'Just Won’t Burn'. Hurting guitar solos from DB and BM - outstanding.



'Sara Jayne' - this song sounds very personal – I may be wrong. A real tear jerker – I can hear the audience joining in on this chorus – “miss the day, miss the night and I feel this empty space beside me, where are you tonight?”



Joe Bonamassa said that DB can make the Fender sing – there is no doubting that and just like JB you know that when he takes these tracks on to the stage the guitar solos will become even more immense than they are on the album – not a poor track on the album and I can’t wait to see the man himself at Leos Red Lion in Gravesend on Sunday 28th February!!



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