Lil' Ian Goodsman
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REVIEWS For the following full reviews, click on the --> links below: 1. Blueprint Magazine, UK --> 2. Radio Tauranga Moana --> 3. Blues-Stikka Magazine, Norway --> 4. Good Time Blues Review Magazine, Buenos Aires, Argentina --> Comments from around the globe: "...an excellent guitarist in the old style" Bruce Iglauer, CEO, Alligator Records, Chicago, USA "...the real deal" Terry Iredale, HotFM, Australia "One of the best country blues players we have heard in years...Out Of The Blue is a recommended CD for all acoustic blues lovers" Good Time Blues Review, Argentina "Absolutely blown away! Some of the best acoustic blues I've ever heard...Kiwi slide guitarist extraordinaire" Radio Hauraki, New Zealand "...blew his audience away with some excellent finger-picking and slide guitar" Java jive, Auckland, New Zealand "A CD to be proud of, it will be a pleasure to play it" Ton Wanten, Triple R Blues, Netherlands "An excellent blues guitarist" The Boat Race, Cambridge, UK "Out Of The Blue is a little gem of an acoustic record...recommended" Blues-Stikka Magazine, Norway BLUES IN BRITAIN REVIEW of CD 'Out Of The Blue' (2001) Formerly a regular on the Northern British folk circuit, Lil' Ian has, over the last year become a full time blues musician based in Tauranga, no New Zealand's North Island. In these sixteen tunes, all covers, over nigh on fifty minutes, he proves himself well suited to the country blues idiom. With clean picking and a nifty slide style that is easily accessible, Ian's arrangements sound fresh and contemporary and yet remain true to the originals.There are no real surprises regarding the material covered: Furry, Sam, Huddie, Sleepy John, Nehemiah (twice), and Blind Arthur. John Temple's name may be lesser known but his Big Leg Woman is surely not. Lonnie Johnson's "Bed Bug Blues' with its clear vocals is a particularly high point. Broonzy's 'Key To The Highway' has a very jazzy feel right through from teh opening chords. Dixon's 'Built For Comfort' too has a jazzy hue. Ian gets busy on Johnson's 'Preaching Blues' and 'If I had Possession Over Judgement Day' with grittier vocals, Mississippi John Hurt's 'Salty Dog, and Muddy's closing 'Country Boy'. Even so there is a light and generally unhurried feel to this delightful set. Rating 8/10 Frank Franklin, BluePrint Magazine, UK Radio Tauranga Moana Review of Out Of The Blue CD Lil' Ian Goodsman is the 'Real Deal' when it comes to traditional blues performance, you don't need a plane fare to Mississippi to experience this great music, sit in on a performance by Lil' Ian and OH' BROTHER YOU ARE THERE!!!(no jet lag) There are no short cuts if one wants to MASTER the art of trad blues, it takes ability, a lot of practice (woodshedding), dedication and most importantly a big chunk of SOUL, Lil' Ian has obviously paid his dues in full. I have produced hundreds of hours of BLUES radio programming and have a fair idea of what quality BLUES performance is about (I also play) and I am totally in awe of Lil' Ian's Blues prowess. What I can't understand is how the English blues fraternity let him escape the country - their loss, our gain. Mike Butler, DJ on New Zealand's longest running Blues Show on Radio Tauranga Moana, Tauranga, New Zealand. Blues-Stikka Magazine Review of 'Out Of The Blue' CD Now here's a little gem of an acoustic record ffrom New Zealand. I guess a lot of you don't know the name Lil' Ian Goodsman, but he hails from the north-eastern parts of England and has for the last few years made his home in Tauranga, the northern most island of New Zealand. With his 'Out Of The Blue' we're talking acoustic blues, the 'good old" songs we know so well, and have heard a million times before. As if it matters, when they've been done as great as they have here. Both his finger-picking and slide are fine and he has more than a good enough voice as well. The songs are from Furry Lewis, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Sam Chatmon, Robert Johnson, Leadbelly, Big Bill Broonzy, Skip James - as a matter of fact, they're all here. On this 16 track CD of country blues gems. This is a collection of songs you would do well to get a hold of. Bjorn Wiksaas, Blues-Stikka Magazine, Norway Good Time Blues Review, Buenos Aires, Argentina Review of 'Out Of The Blue' CD Great country blues cd played with passion! One of the best country blues players we've heard in years. Lil' Ian Goodsman is a great picker and soulful singer, excellent versions of classic blues! Highly recommended blues CD for music lovers! Gustavo Rosenberg |
You can also see, and hear, more of Lil' Ian at his:
and
Sites. Cheers for now, Lil' Ian |
