Travellin’ Blue – Take The Edge Off
Self-release
10 songs – 40 minutes
Travellin’ Blue are a Belgium blues-rock band, previously known as Travellin’ Blue Kings. Take The Edge Off is their third album, and first with the new line-up of JB Biesmans (vocals, saxophone and harmonica), Luke Alexander (guitars), Winne Pennickx (bass), Patrick Cuyvers (Hammond organ, piano, Wurlitzer and backing vocals) and Steve Wouters (drums). Their two previous releases, from 2019 and 2022, both received positive reviews from Blues Blast!
All of the songs on the new album were composed by members of the band. Seven were co-written by Biesmans and Alexander, with Cuyvers contributing one track, Biesmans writing one number, and one co-credited to Ford/Biesmans.
Musically, on the evidence of this release, the band is closer to rock than to blues. The opening track, for example, “Better Left Unsaid” has a repeating verse riff that isn’t a million miles from Led Zep’s “Kashmir”, while “No Gooder” grinds like a distant relative of “Immigrant Song” and “Death Smiles At Us All” has hints of early The Police (albeit with cool harmonica overlaid). Biesmans’ rough-hewn voice suits the material perfectly.
“Down The Rabbit Hole” has a swinging, 60s groove, with the saxophone echoing the vocal melody and a fine organ solo from Cuyvers. “Come Hell Or High Water” builds nicely from the verse to the chorus with Alexander’s layered guitars and a nicely structured guitar solo that recalls some of Bernie Marsden’s work with the early, more blues-infused Whitesnake. The title track again recalls Led Zeppelin with its jagged, single note riff and some marvellously off-the-wall solos from Alexander (with echoes of some of Ritchie Blackmore’s Eastern influences) and Biesmans (on saxophone).
The Pink Floyd-esque “After All” features nice solos again from Alexander (on slide guitar) and Biesmans, although it is interesting that Biesmans’ sax playing adds a distinct jazz flavour to both “After All” and to the instrumental “Hellhole Shuffle.”
The final track, “Lay Down Knuckle Under” has an infectious chorus and a toe-tapping groove.
Take The Edge Off was self-produced by the band, who recorded it at Roots House Studio, with mixing and mastering by Biesmans at JB’s Den.
There’s no doubt that Travellin’ Blue are talented and that they write and play very well-constructed songs. It is most likely however that Take The Edge Off will appeal mostly to rock fans rather than blues fans.
