There are some British blues artists who have steeped themselves in the genre and been excellent advocates of the blues genre. Not only is this a viable description of Kaspar Rapkin and his exuberant band the Swampdogs but he delivers a level of authenticity with his delta blues style.

INFECTIOUS RHYTHM

On his latest album Blues From The Land Of The Living, the self penned opener Vices could easily be mistaken as a cover from any US aficionado of Delta Blues. It has an infectious riff and rhythm which immediately draws you in. His vocal style has a smoothness to it when many try a gruffer approach and it adds his own twist to this branch of Americana.

Kaspar’s version of Son House’s Death Letter follows suit. It not only tips a hat in tribute to one of Delta Blues originators but the ringing guitar works up a vibrant listening experience. Such is the swinging quality of his own Pearly Gates written with Ian Davidson that blends perfectly with the previous track. It includes a stunning guitar solo that wouldn’t be amiss in a heavier rock song. It Is What It It Is also leans towards rockier blues too, slowing the tempo and more yearning.

HIGHWAY 61 VISITED

Another cover is interspersed as Highway 61 puts you straight on the infamous route. Originally written in 1959 it has a more up to date feel with a Hendrix style guitar solo to wallow in. Patrick Kenneally guests on keyboards and responds admirably to Kaspar’s request to emulate Voodoo Child keys.

He clearly has a close connection to blues roots that goes all the way back to the late 1930’s to cover Charley Patton’s Oh Death but he adds extra layers of drums, cello (yes cello…), guitar and organ. You can almost feel the mist swirling around a swampy blues joint.

A solo writing credit for bassist Ian Davidson for Great North Road, replicates the life of blues artists travelling not the length and breadth of Highway 61 but this time our own A1. A route familiar with many of our own travelling music artists.

Some of us are old enough to remember Lonnie Donnegan skiffle version of Sister Rosetta Thorpe’s gospel tune This Train. Kaspar has refreshed it for us, maintaining the pace and skiffle but accentuating the rapid guitar work and pounding percussion more. His fingers must have been smoking at the end and need extinguishing!!

SMOKEY BLUES

It’s back to the blues rock with the smoky blues bar feel for The Notion with the guitar straight from the 70’s heavy blues rock style that seeped into the blues festival events in later years. Take a breather after this before the calmer Bentonia in which Kaspar revisits one of his best nights performing at a juke joint Blues Front Cafe.

We end up at the end of Highway 61 bang in the middle of the music base of New Orleans, paradoxically singing Can’t Do A Thing when musically clearly he can. Allesandro Bandini Honky-Tonks on the piano and Francesca Shaw joins a swinging rhythm section on double bass.

Blues From The Land Of The Living captures the essence of delta blues perfectly and also Kaspar’s inventive twists put a refreshing aspect on some old standards and his own newer compositions.

Here’s a marvellous version of Charley Patton’s Oh Death, with perhaps the first blues cello solo in history!

Kaspar Berry Rapkin: Website

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