King Leo Photo: Supplied
Nick Bollinger checks a set of local blues from King Leo.
To repeat an often-quoted maxim, the blues roll on. And that’s not just in Mississippi or Chicago, but everywhere – here included.
King Leo is the performing name of Virginia-born, Dunedin-based musician Leo LaDell. And he’s just made one of the most persuasive local blues albums I’ve heard in a very long time. He’s one of those triple-if-not-quintuple threats; a singer, guitarist, songwriter - and harmonica and keyboard player - all of which he does excellently. He is master of this kind of relaxed front-porch picking, but he also has a fine band – complete with horn section – and they can drive the blues in a more urban direction when they need to.
While always identifiably blues, LaDell’s songs roam around the genre, and he’s not afraid to mix styles, either; in fact, one of the joys of this album is the unexpected intersections – like the steel guitar of producer John Egenes, which sends the Louisiana-style ‘Back It Off’ on a detour through Nashville.
Another ingredient LaDell adds to his blues is gospel. It’s hinted at in the album’s title, Revival, as well as its wonderful woodblock artwork. And it suits the tenor of his lyrics, which defy the blues stereotype of drinking-and-cheating-and-she-done-me-wrong-songs. LaDell’s songs are heartfelt and personal, and while secular, sometimes employ religious metaphors to carry a general message of being kind to others, and grateful for small mercies. King Leo’s Revival is a lovely album, which I’d recommend to anyone with a taste for blues of almost any kind. And it’s on vinyl as well as CD, and the vinyl sounds – feels and looks – particularly good.
Songs featured: It’ll Be Alright, You Were Taught, Back It Off, Heaven’s Right Here.
Revival is an independent release.
