Come the end of the year I will not only still be playing this record, but have it among my elite best of 2018. It is that good! Singer-songwriter Benjamin Jason Douglas has in First World Blues ... a wonderfully crafted debut recording. Douglas’ vocals are supported by not only his guitar and keyboards but the tight work of Joseph Lekkas (bass, backing vocals, electric guitar, keyboards) and Erin Nelson (drums. Percussion, backing vocals), and with the East Nashville act placing superb emotional content the blues, folk and gospel strains a substantial impact is sure to be made on the listener. Not least due to the quality and arrangement of measured piece Raggedy Andy Williams, gospel blues Tentpole, Doc Red Blues and Diggin’ A Stigmata and the easy flowing Tehoupitoulas (Lekkas).
Rounding off the record Douglas tenders the lazy paced Streetpreacher before bowing out with simple ballad Gloria, and with his rough hewn vocals vying towards fellow East Nashvillian Todd Snider he gives an excellent counter them himself.
Maurice Hope