Hell's Gate Blues Band - Thin Line (2016)

Hell's Gate Blues Band spent over a year writing, polishing, and performing the ten originals and one cover song on the Thin Line album. The songwriting talents of Lisa, Peter, Norm and Aloma Steele (a friend of the band) were brought to bear on a range of song styles. The album opener, "Attraction", is a fast-paced story of a developing romance, backed by lots of harp, acoustic and slide guitar. "Burning Bridges" is a catchy electric blues shuffle. "Love or the Booze" blends blues and country styles to tell a story laced with dark humour. "Thin Line", the title track, warns of danger in relationships. "Woodstock Redux" and "Smiling Girls" showcase the band's basic blues roots. "Smoke and Ashes" is a powerful ode to past blues masters. "Stitch the Pain", "Missing You" and "Dancing Shoes" provide perspectives on relationships in various blues-influenced styles. And of course, "Bring Me Some Water" is Melissa Etheridge's memorable song from her debut album.