After the Downey California raised boys’ debut duet record of two years ago they are back in double-quick time with Lost Time; a belter of an album (one where they cover a bunch of songs entirely made up of oldies from the likes of one of their greatest heroes, Big Joe Turner has four songs), it is like they have thrown off all inhibitions, if they ever had any and hit the ball out of the park. Here it is real, sweaty blues, r& b (plus a gospel track to close the venture) and with swirling electric lead guitar (Chris Miller), piano (Gene Taylor), harmonica (Phil Alvin) and a relentless pounding rhythm the music that comes out the speakers is enough to ignite the heart and soul of the most sombre, and melancholy music follower.
While pitch perfect Phil sings lead on the likes of ace tune “World’s In A Bad Condition”, slow shuffle “Cherry Red Blues” and a terrific version of early James Brown classic, “Please Please Please” Dave, via an upright bass driven “In New Orleans (Rising Sun Blues”) and sublime “Rattlesnakin’ Daddy” plus unrelenting, harmonica doused “Sit Down, Baby” also gets to make a huge impression. Not only through sibling harmonies and searing electric guitar but his worn, tough as knotty pine vocals.
“Papa’s On The House Top” is another gem, and with Phil and the players lifting the feel with a driving, chugging acoustic rhythm it challenges all and sundry as the best performance on the record!
Gospel number “If You See My Saviour” rounds off the album in great style, as the boys get to share the vocals in stellar fashion. What better to way to close a blues service than a tune. Lost Time is one of those records in years to come people will be using it as a reference point both for the Dave and Phil and past blues masters too!
Maurice Hope