Temperature Rising

Couldn't put it any better than this by my mate Nigel!.....Temperature Rising – Danny BryantCall me sentimental if you wish but are there even more of the touch and feel of Danny Bryant’s mentor Walter Trout on the new album? I think so and if so surely that is the result of the even closer bond that has developed between the two as Danny has been so close to Trout throughout his serious illness.Temperature Rising is certainly Danny’s most complete and fully rounded album to-date. Across the nine original tracks at an economic 42 minutes the album displays many shades from the densely coloured full on Blues Rock numbers to the vibrant shades of Blues on the more traditional Blues cuts and finally delicate pastel shades on the ballads. This album is the sum of its parts and rather than have one or two absolute standout tracks, each one of the nine deserves your equal attention.As ever Bryant’s playing is immaculate throughout and he has certainly developed a more rounded vocal. Ostensibly a power trio, there are consistently impressive contributions from Trevor Barr on drums and Alex Phillips on bass.One single listen to the album put me in immediate touch with it and every track spoke to me in a differing way. Hitting the play button leads you straight in to a very muscular opener in the shape of ‘Best of Me,’ a scorching lead break right from the off heralds Bryant’s arrival, the rhythm section match the pace and move the song along at rapid but melodic pace. ‘Take Me Higher’ is a prime example of the heavier sound, rebounding clipped riffs pulse along over the dense drum and bass runs. Bryant’s lead breaks are tight and doused in plenty of distortion.‘Nothing At All’ is the first sortie in to more traditional Blues, structured on honky tonk keys, fast rhythms and Bryant effortlessly peeling off the guitar licks. The first of the two ballads is ‘Together Through Life,’ a beautiful delicate arrangement that provides the space for a vocal narration that is total conviction and heart felt, Bryant’s guitar tones match the mood perfectly.Razor Sharp and the title track are an excellent pairing at just over the half way mark, here we are right back in the rock territory, aggressive powerful vocals, punchy rhythm section hooks, razor sharp lead breaks. On these two Bryant, Barr and Phillips are toe to toe trading blows. To my own ears Temperature Rising is the most immediately accessible track on show and deserves mainstream airplay.Time follows and brings the volume and mood right down, a melodious ballad with a very delicate fractured vocal performance from the main man accompanied by soft keys and drum flurries and his own plaintive guitar strokes.Mystery is back on the Blues train, barrelling along at pace with guitars and keys duelling and the rhythms urging the tune on and inviting Bryant to deliver a hard edged vocal.Guntown brings the album to a fitting and powerful climax, a deep atmospheric song that features stunning guitar work in the form of flourishing notes one second and single plucked notes the next. It is however, the mid song solo that takes the breath away, Bryant’s fingers caress and squeeze the strings to produce exquisite sounds that you just want to go on and on.Danny Bryant stands in the shadow of no man now, he is in the Premier League on his own terms as this album proves. He has also proved himself a great pupil having studied with the best!

This is an outstanding Blues Rock album which has built on the success of last years release Hurricane.Opening with the driving riffs of "Best Of Me" you know straight away this album has got winner written all over it.Razor Sharp in a similar vein is equally good, but as on Hurricane it is the ballads with a quick nod to Bon Jovi that show the class of the man and his music."Take Me Higher,Together Through Life, and Temperature Rising are all out of the top drawer, but the outstanding track for me is "Guntown" which conjures up memories of Mark Knopfler's "Brothers In Arms" with its beautiful guitar hiding just below the surface.Danny Bryant is now the complete package, he sings far far better than most,writes nearly all his own material, and is a genuinely gifted guitar player who has mastered the instrument, just go and see him live if you don't believe me.Producer Richard Hammerton has done a fine job in producing an album that does him credit.

This is the first album by Danny that I have heard, I was a little surprised to discover that he is a British Bluesman as I had convinced myself that he heralded from the USA. There are 9 tracks and it lasts for about 45 minutes. It commences with 'Best of Me' which is high tempo and with vocals similar to Chris Farlow in his early days, the guitar work is excellent. The tempo is maintained until the forth offering 'Together Through Life' which slows things down for a while, the guitar solo on this track is sublime demonstrating the capabilities of Danny as a guitarist.My favourite track is 'Razor Sharp' which epitomises what this album is all about. On further investigation I discovered that Danny has worked with some impressive artists including Santana and Buddy Guy. An excellent album I was suitably impressed and will listen to more, hope to get to one of his gigs in the near future. Could have had more information with the CD though!

Fine blues-rock guitarist.

Just received my copy but this is a marvelous progression by a brilliant guitarist.Richard Hammerton's contribution as producer & musician gives a whole new dimension to the album.The first two tracks - Best of Me & Take Me Higher are great rockers but there is a good mix of ballads & blues which should win Danny more fans. Every song is a real pleasure.

I love Danny's work, the whole album is fantastic, but the song that blew me away was Guntown, superb slide work, Danny's mentor is the great Walter Trout and I will be seeing both of them LIVE on separate dates in November 2015. Blues like blues needs to be played.

Another great album by Danny

have most of his cd's but this has got to be my favourite one.superb from start to finish great lyrics great guitar playing.off to see him at Norwich on the 10th September and can't wait.