Essex Delta Blues
November 18th sees the launch of “Essex Delta Blues – A Sampler”, a CD featuring tracks from 17 Blues bands and artists from Essex compiled by Ray Bartrip of Bad Moon Records, himself a noted musician who plays in a number of bands, and Ashwyn Smyth, presenter of Digital Blues, a twice weekly programme on PhoenixFM.com, the Internet based local radio service for Brentwood & Billericay.
Both Ray & Ashwyn had, quite independently, nurtured the thought of putting together a CD to promote the fine Blues tradition that exists in Essex and a chance telephone conversation led to this collaboration about which they are both very excited.
Ashwyn said: “Since Digital Blues was born in June 2001 it has become an important resource for the Blues community, both in Essex and surrounding areas, and one of our main thrusts has been the promotion of both local performers and venues through the radio shows and through web-based gig guides, news pages, e-mailings etc. We were honoured when we were described by a top Essex band who play all over the UK, Europe & Scandinavia as being “the voice of the Blues for Essex”.
This CD is a logical progression of this work as far as Digital Blues is concerned and as well as featuring tracks from the CD in our programming, we are undertaking a campaign of mailing copies of the CD to venues, promoters, radio stations etc. to bring to their attention the wealth of talent that resides in Essex and, we hope, to persuade them to give them airplay, gigs etc. to the featured artists and bands”
The CD launch takes place at the New Crawdaddy Blues Club at the Belvedere, Hardings Elms Road, Crays Hill, Billericay, one of the top Blues venues in Essex, on Thursday 18th November when a number of those whose work appears on the CD will be playing live sets. Featuring more than fifty percent original material, the CD tracks cover a wide spectrum from the stunning solo work of Roy Mette, through duos such as the Jives & Los Tres Armadillos, a Burnham based trio, to top Essex bands such as Bad Town Blues, the Rockin’ Armadillos, the Swamp Cats and many more.
The tracks were recorded all over Essex although a number were laid down at Ray Bartrip’s Moon Studios in Romford. Ray said ”There has always been some formidable musical talent in Essex, much of which never gets recorded. I wanted not only to create a showcase to bring these bands to the attention of a wider audience but to create, with this and possible subsequent albums, an historic archive of the great Blues and R’n’B coming from our county”.
