Title: “Delta Days" – New album from Russell Ballantine
Introduction: Due for release in September 2024, "Delta Days" is the 3rd album from Russell Ballantine following the instrumental ‘celtic’ influenced ‘Palmyra Rain’ (2007) and the first solo blues offering ‘Harpo’s Jazz' (2023). The album contains 9 self penned tracks leaning heavily on traditional blues forms. Contemporary themes, stemming from the ‘day job’, of Chatbots, AI and big tech, appear alongside the usual journey of Love, heartache and redemption but this album strives to be simply … a blues album. There is no multi-layering of guitar parts or intricate use of studio effects. All tracks were essentially recorded in one or two takes over 4 days, with no intention to create anything new but rather maybe capture something lost. Delta Days is notable for its collaboration with an impressive line-up of very experienced local musicians, each bringing their unique flair to the project.
Album Overview: The album opens with the title track "Delta Days," with Russell's guitar and Cameron's harmonica providing the improvised counterpoint that permeates the entire album. This interplay is very much in evidence in the instrumental ‘Strum Und Drang’ (a Bo Diddley and SRV influenced offering) with the guitar and harmonica sharing the lead duties. The album's penultimate track is an arrangement of Willie Brown's ‘Mississippi Blues’ (featuring Angus Lyon, from Blazin' Fiddles, on accordion) with the final curtain call being the guitar instrumental ‘Cakewalking’ with some cheeky, rhythm section work from Jim and Kenny. From beginning to end, every song is a testament to a deep-rooted love of blues music.
Musicians:
Russell Ballantine - Vocals and guitars: Russell is a Scottish guitarist who's musical journey has been wide and varied. As a formative member of the blues band Bo'Weevil, for 15 years had a blast at blues festivals in the UK and further afield (Colne, Euro POP Freiburg, Great British Blues Festival, Edinburgh Jazz and Blues festival etc). The intervening years to the present day have, when a demanding day job allows, seen him travel through celtic, folk and classical ventures. This latest album see's a return to his first musical love, blues music.
Cameron Grey - Harmonica: Cameron has been playing on the Scottish blues scene for many years, either with his own band ‘the pentatonics’ or guesting on other projects.
Kenny Hutchison - Bass: Kenny and Russell played together in Bo'Weevil for many years. Kenny has went on to play with the likes of Paul Rose and many others.
Jim Drummond - Drums: Jim started his career with rock band Strangeways, with whom he recorded five albums over twelve years and toured with Bryan Adams, Meatloaf and The Kinks, as well as working with Paul Rose, Barbara Dickson, sax legend Dick Heckstall-Smith and many many more. We're very grateful for his contribution to Delta Days.
Angus Lyon - Accordion (Mississippi Blues) : Angus is a musician, producer & composer based in Scotland. He is a member of Blazin’ Fiddles & The Halton Quartet who has also recorded & performed alongside Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Paul McCartney, Bobby McFerrin, Craig Armstrong, Blue Rose Code, Eliza Carthy, Matt Costa, Bella Hardy & many more. Angus very graciously agreed to play some accordion on the track Mississippi Blues.
Delta Days was recorded at Angus's studio in the Scottish borders.
Critical Reception: To be determined !!
Summary: Delta Days is an album that honours the rich legacy of the blues. This fleeting collaboration with guest musicians has produced a spontaneous, exciting and interesting album, making it a must-listen for blues aficionados and newcomers alike.
