Lazy Eye Band – Pocket the Black

If you love old school blues, this is a modern ‘must-have’ album. Lazy Eye Band could be from Tennessee, Mississippi, Chicago – anywhere really – but they arise from Adelaide and are about to tour Australia-wide with 10-track album Pocket the Black.

Billed as “Booker T sharing a scotch with BB King at the crossroads after midnight”, this is slow burning, whisky-drenched blues – often 12 bar – at its best.

Fronting the trio playing a dilapidated beast of a Hammond organ is Evan Whitter, with Erica Graf on guitar. Graf can really play too. Her American Strat through a Fender tube amp is warm and clean with no processing. “I figured if I can’t make the guitar sound good without effects, then what’s the point of me playing it?” says Graf – and her sound is fantastic.

Back from Memphis, this recording is live before a studio audience. Clarity is exceptional with the live show vibe.

Buy it, play it – preferably late at night with a glass of something – and you could be anywhere. (GW)

★★★★