Step By Step by Bob Pearce

Reviewed by Paul Kerslake

Bob is a veteran on the British blues scene who, since his conversion, has stopped singing about drunken nights and mojos and instead offers songs of faith and hope. His years of experience shine through the 12 tracks on offer, from the R&B shuffle of the opener "It Was You" to the blues romp of "Gotta Tell Somebody". Bob is ably supported by a tight band of musicians and singers. There are some great slide solos and occasional bursts of gutsy harmonica. The recording is suitably raw and live, transporting you back to how records were made "in the day" as your dad would tell you. Particular favourites for me are when the band strip back and highlight the instruments. "You Got To Move" is a great acoustic blues stomp with some superb slide guitar, and then "Don't Trouble Trouble" showcases Carl Sonny Leyland on boogie-woogie piano. For fans of blues, and general good time music, this latest set from the veteran works well.