Chris Bevington Organisation - Cut And Run (2018)

The current band line-up features Chris Bevington on bass guitar, Jim Kirkpatrick from FM, vocal duo Kate Robertson and Sarah Miller from Nearly Dan and Scott Ralph on guitar and vocals.

Trumpet player Adrian Gibson, saxophonist Mike Yorke, drummer Neil Macullan and Dave Edwards on keyboards complete the nine-piece band.

Recorded at Coal House Studios.

All songs written by Scott Ralph and Jim Kirkpatrick.

(1) It’s To Late
A great opening track that leaves you in no doubt how good this album is going too be. Awesome vocals and guitar from the outset demonstrating the combination and bond between Scott and Jim is all to evident. Attach to that the rest of this powerhouse of a band you are left with eager longing for the rest of the album.

(2) Had Enough
Real hard blues alongside superb brass work. Slow sultry groove with meaningful lyrics. Playing like an unbreakable unit this song would grace any stage in the world.

(3) Got Too Know
Thumping drumbeat from Neil McCallum. Up tempo blues delivered effortlessly punctuated with superb vocals. The backing vocals of Sarah Miller and Kate Robertson just add to the pleasure. I was lucky enough too see the band perform this live at Lichfield Guildhall a couple of months ago. Brilliant performance of a quite stunning song. It just makes you feel so good and puts you right in the groove.

(4) Won’t Daydream No More
Has an almost 70s feel too the start. Nothing wrong with that at all. Once again you get to hear sublime backing vocals complementing this tremendous piece of work. Put all that with an awesome sax solo and you have another gem on your hands.

(5) Cut And Run
The title track of the album places vocals and guitar in perfect harmony. Building slowly with percussion until the inevitable thundering drums and solid bass line put down by Chris Bevington. When the band hits the groove it really hits the sweet spot. In future this will be talked of as blues classic by many people far and wide.

(6) It Ain’t Easy
Funky guitar and keyboards provide another dimension to the band.Messers Kirkpatrick and Ralph once again prove beyond doubt their exceptional song writing skills.Dave Edwards on keys is a major influence on the structure of the song as are the brass section. Funk at It’s finest here.

(7) She Ran Away To The City
Soulful sound again enhanced by awesome keyboards alongside guitar and horns. Lyrics seem to come easily when you sit and listen but I’m sure it’s not at all easy. But that is the measure of fine songwriters and this offering is no exception.

(8) Sing Myself To Sleep
Another fine example of song writing and arrangement that leaves you so in tune and on a level with CBO. The perfect combination of such talented musicians produces songs such as this.First class lyrics and first class playing.

(9) Rollin'
The title does what it says on the tin. A rocking upbeat blues song thundering along that hits you straight between the eyes. If this doesn’t get you bouncing around the room then you must be dead. There will be many well known blues bands when upon hearing this will be extremely jealous. And looking over their shoulders nervously.

(10) Ain’t Got Nobody To Love
This was another new song that the band played live at Lichfield Guildhall a couple of months back. Songs like this can make you run out of superlatives. Guilty as charged. So much energy radiates from the band it leaves you breathless even when sitting down listening to then do their stuff. Stunning song.

(11) Coming Down With The Blues
A proper blues gem. Strong gutsy vocals/guitar backed by wonderful horns. This could easily have come straight from the early electric days of the blues in Chicago. One could imagine old blues venues in Chicago rockin to this back in the day. It helps when you have a guitarist of the stature of Jim Kirkpatrick and Scott Ralph aboard making it look like a walk in the park. That is genius.

(12) The Bad Guy’s
It’s almost a sad feeling knowing this is the last track on the album. A perfect ending to a truly wonderful album. It gently eases you down with it’s laid back groove and soothing arrangement. What do you do when the album is finished? Play it again. And again..