Maria Daines Band - Thanks for Nuthin' (Album)

Year of Release: 1998

I was tipped off about the Maria Daines Band by one of my trusty music scouts operating in the Bury St. Edmunds area of the UK (that's another bottle of Special Brew I owe you Aunty Margie).  Not having heard anything by the band before, I had no idea what to expect but after about 3 plays of the album, I was singing along like I'd known these songs for years as if they had somehow been written in to my past.

If you're looking for classic rhythm 'n' blues (not the modern soul variety), look no further than "Cigarette Train", "Good to You" and "Tell Me What you Want".   If your feet aren't tapping after you have heard those tracks, you had better check your pulse to make sure you are still alive.

If you want some rock with attitude, then best you listen to "Better of Me" (don't be lulled into a false sense of security by the soothing acoustic guitar intro) which has some great guitar exchanges, and "Message for You", which I imagine would go down well live, especially the lead guitar riff (which unfortunately is cut short on the album as the track is faded out).

If sultry, sophisticated vibes are your thing, listen to "City Ain't Got No Soul" (which has a beat similar to Alannah Miles' "Black Velvet") and the dreamy "Deja Blues".

A set of gospel backing singers would not be out of place singing along to the chorus of "Free Your Mind".

As if there hasn't been enough variety already, if you are still not satisfied and want to slow the pace right down, "Memories" and "Wretched" should get you reaching for a hankie.  "Memories" falls into the category of classic rock blues, in the Gary Moore ("Still Got the Blues For You") vein.

There should be something here to keep everybody happy.

Rating: ****

Date of Review: 16.06.00