CD Reviews - Little A Lot

Blues & Rhythm magazine

Monday, 01 February 2010

Blues & Rhythm magazine, issue #246, February 2010 by Fred Rothwell

I think the record label says it all about this Dutch seven-piece outfit, as retro swing is an apt description for their good-time boogie music. They are led by vocalist and harpist Stephan Hermsen who, clearly under the influence of Little Walter, has a fine line in mush mouthed vocals and distorted harmonica.

He also wrote all thirteen songs on the album (there is a fourteenth unlisted track tacked onto the closing song, why I know not because it deserves to be credited). The line-up also includes a strong horn section, which blends in well with the harp and this is underscored by a fine, driving rhythm section. Guitarist, Huub Goosen plays sparkling jazzy riffs and piano man Ivo Sieben pushes the band on with his rolling boogie. These guys would give any of the West coast outfits a run for their money and I bet their live shows are something else. To quote the cover, what you get here is 'a little a lot of shufflin' 'n' jumpin', swinging' 'n' bumpin'.