Rock 'n' Reel
Magazine Sept 08
Quality blues-rock spiced with guts and heart
The first thing to strike you about Andy Lester is that, clearly, here is a guitarist who knows his trade. He lists his influences as Peter Green and Hendrix - no surprises there - but both his excellent rhythmic and melodic work put me more in mind of the more soulful stylings of the great Robert Ward. The second thing to strike you is the quality of his band. Blue Train have a rhythm section that are worth travelling a long way to hear. Graham Jonston on bass and Sean McGran on drums provide a solid and unobtrusive platform that simply invites the rest of the musicians to shine. The keyboard work of Perry White is exceptional, particularly on 'The Highest Jumper' where a lush Hammond sound and beautifully judged piano neatly dovetail with Andy Lester's guitar. The real star of the album however, is harmonica player Al Clarke. The harmonica is not everyone's favourite instrument but Clarke's emphasis on a gentler country/blues style makes for an accessible and warm sound that adds real colour, texture and shade.
So far so good but having the courage to commit your own songs to CD invites scrutiny and, sadly, there are times when the writing is a little uneven. The opener - 'Sins Of The Father' - works well both musically and lyrically but sets a standard that is not always maintained. There are good songs here – the title track, 'Weatherman', is well crafted with a delicious Al Clarke intro and great vocal interplay between Lester and guest vocalist Katie Bradley, but others - 'Magic Girl' and 'Texas Walk' for example - sound under-developed and lack spark. Perhaps the album's stand out track is 'Get Your Hands Dirty' a bluesy, soulful number that is given a real lift by Tony Rico's horns. But even this is slightly marred by an odd third chord on the verse that jars a little and distracts from a strong melody. Sometimes less is more.
There is much to like and admire here - great musicians playing real music with a genuine sense of warmth. Weatherman makes a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience.
Maverick Magazine
This review will appear in the April 08 issue. Rated: 4 Stars
Quality blues-rock spiced with guts and heart
No glitz, no fuss, just down-to-earth, honest-to-goodness blues-tinged rock’n’roll. Weatherman is the kind of music that is the bedrock of the live scene. Even on CD, Andy Lester’s Bluetrain knows how to grab hold of an audience and slowly but surely tighten its grip. Blues like Piece Of Your Love are drenched in the sweat of honest toil. It may be a cliché but it’s still true, only a band that has learned its craft and paid its dues will sound as tight and solid as Andy Lester’s Bluetrain.
In style, WEATHERMAN is classic UK blues/rock, a little less raw than its American cousin, there’s an easy rhythmic flow to the likes of Down The Line. If anything, WEATHERMAN sometimes falls slightly foul of its own standards, which, because they never fall or rise very much, mean there is nothing that will have you leaping out of your seat. It’s good and it stays good throughout.
If you like your blues spiced with guts and heart as well as soul, then you’ll find much to en joy from Andy Lester. However, be warned, WEATHERMAN doesn’t rewrite the book of blues. The other side of that coin is that this an album—all but one song of which is original—from a band fronted by a very able singer and made up of musicians who have learnt their way around a blues song. It can’t be ignored that songs like Sweet Talker and Bill Chinnock Blues have, with variations, been done before but they still have to be done well and in that respect Andy Lester’s Bluetrain is firmly on the right track.
Laura Bethell.
Maverick
Blues In Britain Magazine
Jan 08 Issue 73 Rating: 7/10
The opener "Sins of the Father", is a mid paced song with nice understated harp (reminded me of Hugh Budden from the Producers) the overall sound is Dire Straits-ish. "Magic Girl" is a slow moody piece with more good harp. I'm afraid the meaning of the lyrics to the title song somewhat evaded me. The only cover "Piece of your love" (a Snowy White song from his The Way It Is album) has an acoustic arrangement with just guitar and harp, nice and bluesy, I liked this one. I also liked "Down The Line" which is a straight bluesy rocker with a tasty guitar break. "Texas Walk" is a walking country blues shuffle sort of song with good acoustic guitar. The ballad style "The Highest Jumper" is about the problems with drugs while "Sweet Talker" is a gentle rockin' rollin' song, which I liked. "Get Your Hands Dirty" has both keyboards and horns, so a big full sound and the vocals sound a bit Dylanesque. There's a short acoustic closer in "Bill Chinnock Blues" (now there's an obscure quote, I haven't heard of him for years).
Andys vocals are good a solid and the songs are well crafted. The playing is never less than tasteful with a special mention for Al's harp work, although everyone contributes to the right feel for each song. That said the emphasis is on the songs and lyrics so no epic soloing. This is an interesting first album from an experienced musician and his band. Look out for them gigging in the South East.
Jim Greaves
Bluesbuny Review:
"As good a modern British blues album as you're likely to hear in the coming years". Peter McGee - Bluesbunny.com
www.bluesbunny.com/tabid/122/xmmid/474/xmid/446/xmview/2/default.aspx
Rootstime review
The CD begins with the strong bluesy 'Sins of the father', Al Clarke's extremely beautiful harmonica passages interwoven with Andy Lesters strong vocals. This is no ordinary 12 bar blues band, indeed only the Lightnin' Hopkins influenced 'Texas Walk' approaches a blues standard. This is much more 'subtle' blues mixed with elements of Rock, Folk and alt. Country. The alternative Country influences are clearly interwoven in 'magic Girl', twangy guitars and a backing which reminds me of something Johnny Cash might have done, but to stop it becoming too Country, Al again brings his bluesy melodic harmonica to the fore. If I'm not mistaken I caught the excellent Perry White (Keyboards) at Ronnie Scotts on a visit to London. Tony Rico is another excellent guest, as is Katie Bradley who's beautiful backing vocals are evident throughout the album, the other fixed Bluetrain members are Graham Jonston (Bassist) and Sean McGran (Drums) Another climax is 'Sweet talker" a singer-songwriters bluessong with a strong melody. Andy wrote all of the songs except 'Piece of your love' (Snowy White) If this material is based as Andy says on a 'mid life crisis', then its certainly an original one. (Ron)
Harmonica World Magazine
Feb 08 Issue
Andy Lester's Bluetrain presents ten blues tinged singer songwriter original songs on a nicely produced and packaged CD. The interest for Harmonica World readers lies in the presence of fifty something man of Kent Al Clarke on harp throughout. Your eagle eyed editor had spotted that I knew Al back in the 60's and 70's and sent me the CD to review, I 'm glad that he did! I tend not to listen to harmonica music for pleasure (or for pain) too much these days, but I really enjoyed this one. Clarke plays single note diatonic both acoustic and amplified with a fine tone and excellent sense of ensemble playing. The well chosen phrases bring a lot of life to the finished product which is destined for duty in my car stereo.
There's a full length streaming of some of the tracks on MySpace and I'm sure you will be tempted to buy a copy - you could do a lot worse!
Laurence Garman
Comments from those who bought the Album
I bought 8 cd's from cd baby with 'Weatherman' but yours is the one I haven't taken out of my player and have gone around babbling to anyone who would listen(and some who wouldn't) about what a great album this is. As a long time listener to British blues I am very excited about your current crop of talent. Keep up the great work.
Regards,
Marvin Arizona, USA
Great tunes, fine songs I'm looking forward to your next cd cheers.
Jan Peter Luneburg
Berlin, Germany
I really enjoy the Blue Train CD ”Weatherman” your harp player has a particularly nice touch. I especially enjoyed “Sins of the Father”. Let me know if you have other releases.
Stu Vancouver, Canada