Blues In Britain - Richie Milton & The Lowdown - September 2008

Lowdowning note-records NCD 10 10 2

This is Richie Milton &The Lowdown's fifth album in a thirteen-plus year recording career. The core of singersongwriter-guitarist Milton, CO-vocalist Linda Hall, bassist Phil Lucas and hornmen Steve King and Dick Hanson remains from their 1994 debut; Dave Lennox (organ) and Ed Spevock (drums) complete the line-up.

All bar one of the thirteen originals on this set come from Milton's pen and the liner promises 'rhythm 'n' blues, old time soul, ballads, Latin and rock 'n' roll! All mixed up in a big ole gumbo this is ... Lowdowning!'

The album opens with "Suspicious Again", co-written by Milton and Ruby Turner, who recorded it on Call Me By My Name. "Call Annie" is a rock 'n' roller in the style of the late Larry Williams. "Test Of Time" is a lovely soul ballad. The Latin tinge rears its head on the two-part 'Alchemy"/"Alchemist Gypsy Dub" and King's instrumental "Ghosts On Rampart Street", whereas "No Time" utilises a ska rhythm. "May You Never Be Blue", Milton's dedication to his mother, is pure country. "July In The Sunshine" brings Leon Redbone to mind and shows Milton to be an optimist but sadly no good at forecasting the weather. Linda Hall gets a chance to shine on "Dr Goodstuff" and "Sucha Lotta Lovin'", still sounding like a young girl despite the fact that she must be, oh at least 29 by now.

 An enjoyable varied set from a band of hard- a working, seasoned professionals is the lowdown on this one.

 Rating: 8 - Jon Taylor

Blues in Britain

Zeitgeist, http://www.the-rocker.co.uk - RICHIE MILTON – LOWDOWNING - August 2008

Richie Milton has been around forever. Well, not quite, but he did make his first appearance on televison way back in the late 60's, when he appeared performing 'Got My Mojo Working', aged just 13. He spent the seventies as a jobbing saxophone player, with the likes of Freddy Macks Soul Extravaganza, before switching to guitar and performing on the London R&B circuit, and touring with Long John Baldry.

He took his love of soul and Blues, and set about recreating a good old fashioned Rhythm and Blues Review, something that resulted in Richie Milton & The Lowdown. They've been on the go a fair while now, releasing a fair number of CDs, including "Let Me Tell You More" on the Blues Matters label. But they're now with Note, and this is their latest set of swinging, jumping Rhythm and Blues.

And it's a bit of a treat, especially when the horns of Dick Hanson on trumpet (a man who has performed with Wilson Picket and James and Bobby Purify) and Steve King on saxophone blow up a storm. The songs are excellent, as befits a man who has had his material recorded by Ruby Turner and Otis Grand, and the band sound as they are having an absolute blast, although the songs where Richie sings are better than the ones where co-vocalist Linda Hall takes the lead.

It mixes up southern soul, Chicago Blues, a touch of New Orleans funk, and has a groove that just begs you to get up and dance.

Stuart A Hamilton

SMIGGY _ BARRY'S MAG - RICHIE MILTON – LOWDOWNING

July 2008

Note Records has done it again! Richie Milton & The Lowdown Roll out a set that hits us with everything from Rock ‘n’ Roll through Soul ballads and R&B to Latin.

And don’t let me hear a whisper of “Jack of all trades masters etc.” Because these guys have all these genres nailed to the point where pundits of every style are going to be smiling from ear to ear.

As I write this review I am getting Trad-Jazz and Swing Blues to enjoy as well! All this gumbo is served up with the aid of a brass section so generous, so full of fat, filled with delicious polyunsaturates that if you don’t listen to it whilst exercising you’re gonna put on a pound every time you hear it..

Smiggy - Barry’s Mag

David Lands – Jazz Journal  Sept 2005

A powerhouse performance from Milton and his band. Most of the songs are by the leader and are very well con-structed; in fact the only non-original (Don't You Just Know It) is the worst track on the album. His voice is free from Mississippi mud (which makes a change) and although heavly influenced by the music of the fifties and sixties (Bobby Bland, Joe Tex etc) he puts it across in a per-sonable manner. Linda Hall backs up the vocal and has a fine voice, notably on Life Is Strange. I can imagine the band rockin' the house when performing live and punters eagerly buying this CD as a souvenir.

David Lands – Jazz Journal

This is a band that must be seen...

Master players exercising their craft.

RICHIE MILTON ©The Spitz, London. - 'Bluesique CD Launch Party.

Richie got the set underway with that old chestnut 'Soul Finger.' A few bars later the brass section comes in and your insides smile as the whole machine becomes motioned. And I'm pleasantly transported back to the days of the Blues Brothers and can recall the time when all the boring blokes down my pub who talked about nothing except cars and football were suddenly awoken by this real music. Now we have 'Stars in their eyes!' When you add brass to a group it becomes a band. 'Had No Lovin' follows, a pace shuffle number with no surprises that is the albums' opener. 'Nothing Can Stop Me' clipped guitar, brass section riffing, and a lazy feeling. A gentle hip swayer. 'Get Naked' Brass led rhythm about Adam and Eve. The title explains the rest of the song. Nice one Richie couldn't agree more! 'Grooving', with Paul Cox, guesting on vocals, and 'You Don't Shake It' follow. And then the big one; 'Bluesique' the title track is a sheer piece of genius, transforming you back to the 30's and 40's with some great scat harmonies from Richie and Linda Hall weaving their vocals 'snake- like' through the melody. A Fine piece of songwrit- ing and a story line that had me hooked from the start. Maybe it's just the period that Richie has so respectfully borrowed from, but I have the feeling it would be the kind of song that every serious musi-cian would love to play on. 'Alright Ok You Win' has Linda taking the lead vocals combining a freshness to this familiar standard with just enough slur in her voice to put you on the south side and once again the brass section delivered some dynamic alternat-ing punctuation trade offs. The first set ends with 'Proud Mary', which starts off deceptively slow before breaking into 1,2,3, and the familiar, raunchy speed of 'Low Rider', that has the girls coming out of the woodwork and on to the dance floor like snakes. The second half kicks off with Hawain Ska', and the dance floor is on heat auto-matic. 'Dressed To kill', 'Straight Ahead, No Stopping' keeps the dance floor buzzing with some nice swelling organ play by Dave Lennox. When Linda takes over the lead vocals with 'Lover Please' we witness the horn section simulating Wild West railroad train siren sounds, prompting screams of enthusiasm from some secret admirer somewhere in the room. In 'You Wanna Take A Mile' we're treated to some very authentic Stax reminiscences with key changes within the number and the old vocal talking numerical counts on the beats and nice organ stabs/swells from Dave. 'Wasn't That Love' follows and bassist Phil 'The Rock' Lucas plays some lovely Duck Dunn lines! 'Tip of My Tongue' features Linda Hall sounding incredibly like Brenda Lee accompanied by that lovely farty brass with those beautifully punc-tuated stops. This is a band that must be seen and as good as the CD is, it cannot create the sheer excitement of a live show with master players exercising their craft.

John Freebrey - Blues Matters - August 05

Blues & Rhythm – UK – June 2005-06-20

 Bluesique - Note Records NCD 1006-2 (53:43)

Talented songwriter, bandleader, singer and guitarist Richie nearly broke big in 1998 when Indigo released a couple of his CDs, but things have been relatively quiet since then. This generally admirable set (only the poppy closer and a couple of examples of overly derivative writing detract from the overall excellence) proves that although the south of England is his base, his heart is way below the Mason-Dixon line.

He's equally at home with southern soul, blues shuffles. New Orleans r&b and good old rock and roll: there's even a bebop blues with the title track. Special mention must also be made of second singer Linda Hall and to the horn section for helping out with a job well done.

Norman Darwen

http://www.rootstime.be/

British Blues associeert men soms wel eens met fifties, jump, rock-'n-roll, jazz, soul, funk en blues. Toch verstaan frontman Richie Milton en zijn Lowdown perfect de kunst om dit alles op een verpletterende manier te brengen. Richie Milton luisterde als tiener zeer aandachtig naar Herbie Goins and the Nighttimers en Zoot Money's Big Roll Band, zowat de eerste generatie Britten die R&B en soul nummers in hun muziek wisten te brengen, en dit terwijl andere leeftijdsgenoten luisterden naar Elvis en Pat Boone. Hevig beïnvloed door deze R&B begon hij een soulcarrière en creëerde een eigen originele sound. Het pas uitgebrachte album "Bluesique" is een perfecte illustratie van hoe het kan en eigenlijk hoort. Luister maar eens naar een pracht van een rock-'n-rollnummer "Takes 2 To R&R" en ook "Nothing Can Stop Me", een alom swingend, met prachtig blaaswerk gedreven nummer. "My Confession", een track die de '50 jaren laat herleven, brengen zij met een zo'n wonderbaarlijk enthousiasme dat het mij onmogelijk lijkt hier niet aan toe te kunnen geven. Alle muzikanten zijn heel professioneel, o.a. Phil ‘The Rock’ Lucas(bas), Dave Lennox (Hammond orgel), Paul Atkinson (drums), maar toch zijn het de blazers Steve King (tenor, alto en baritone sax) en ‘Slick’ Dick Hanson (trompet) die het geluid van het album bepalen. Invloeden van mambo en Caribbean mixen de muzikanten in soul en rock-'n-rollsongs zoals in "If Love Is A Crime" en het afsluitende "Goodbye Song", zodat gebrek aan originaliteit absoluut uit den boze is. Van de veertien nummers is er één cover, nl. Huey 'Piano" Smith's "Don't You Just Know It", en dit is wat men noemt een ware killer. De andere songs zijn door Richie Milton zelf neergepend, waarop hij op het New Orleans-getinte "Tip of My Tongue" en in de slow blues van "Life Is Strange" vocaal wordt bijgestaan door de helder klinkkende Linda Hall. Dat zelfs blues voor dit explosief sextet geen geheimen heeft, bewijzen ze zo maar eventjes in "Life Is Strange". Men beweert wel eens dat men met het ouder worden de goede dingen gaat appreciëren, "Bluesique" is er alvast het goede voorbeeld van. Wie van meer dan alleen maar pure blues houdt, is bij deze gewaarschuwd!

François Braeken

Babel Fish Translation

In English:
British blues one associate sometimes sometimes with fifties, jump, rock-'n-roll, jazz, soul, funk and blues. Nevertheless front man Richie Milton and understand perfectly are Lowdown art of bringing all this in a crushing manner. Richie Milton listened as a teenager very attentively to Herbie Goins and the Nighttimers and Zoot Money's piglet Roll link, zowat the first generation at that R&B and soul numbers in their music could, and this bring whereas other contemporaries listened to Elvis and stalemate Boone. Violently influenced by this R&B he started soulcarrière and created its own original sound. The album "Bluesique" brought out just is a perfect illustration of how it is possible and in fact hears. Lustre to a splendour of rock-'n-rollnummer "Takes 2 To R&R" and also "Nothing Can stopper me", everywhere swinging, with splendid bladder work number floated. "My Confession", a track which revives the 50 years late, bring they with a such miraculous enthusiasm be able give me which it does not seem impossible to this. All muzikanten are very professional, among other things Phil ' The Rock ' Lucas (bass), Dave Lennox (ham mouth organ), Paul Atkinson (drums), but nevertheless are it fumaroles Steve King (tenor, alto and baritone sax) and ' Slick ' Dick Hanson (trumpet) that stipulate the sound of the album. Influences of mambo and Caribbean mix the muzikanten in soul and rock-'n-rollsongs like in "If Love are a crime" and the closed "Goodbye song", so that lack of originality is absolutely from pine boze. Of the fourteen numbers is there one cover, viz. Huey ' piano "Smith's" Don't You Just Know It, and this is what one calls a truth chillier. The other songs is by Richie Milton themselves neergepend, on which he on the New Orleans-getinte "tip or My Tongue" is and in the slow blues of "life Strange" vocaal is assisted by the clear klinkkende Linda hall. That even blues for this explosive sextet has no mysteries, proofs she this way but eventjes in "life is Strange". One claims sometimes that one become with parent the good things will appreciate, "Bluesique" is of it in advance the good example. He who more than only pure blues loves, at these has been warned!

Richie Milton and the Lowdown are a jobbing UK band who've been mainstays on the live circuit for longer than they can probably care to remember. Bands like the Lowdown are typically British and sit in the tradition of outfits like Herbie Goins and the Nighttimers and Zoot Money's Big Roll Band who back in the day peddled their own take on first generation R&B and soul. Add to that a hint of the Commitments and Blues Brothers show band style and you'll get the feel of the album. All the tunes are originals and throughout homage is paid to seminal influences. So, "Tip Of My Tongue" is based on "Yakety-Yak"; Nothing Can Stop Me" has the off kilter sound of ska, while "Goodbye Song" 'loans riffs from "Wooly Bully" and "Sweet Soul Music". On each cut you'll hear a particular influence - but in the context that's no bad thing. It's all good time music and with twin vocalists Richie himself and the sweeter tones of Linda Hall, there's plenty of variety. I suggest that the band are better live than on record - but if you've ever caught them live you may want to own this.

(BB) [3 turntables rating]

The first time I had heard of Richie was back in 1991 when I reviewed his then new release “Collaborators “ {on the Shunting Legends Label SL2} I remember saying at the time that I considered him and his band to be a class act; now, with this fresh, lively and invigorating album I am convinced that Richie and his band are now a top class act. His maturity, knowledge and skill gained in the intervening years has enabled Richie to produce a smoothly, sophisticated groovin’ Blues album on which numbers move seamlessly, from tasty Blues shuffles,  through to elegantly cool, mellow late night Blues, at times reminiscent of the late great Percy Mayfield.

A high quality horn section is evident throughout, especially on the highly enjoyable swing numbers.Richie is joined on vocals on all but two of the fourteen numbers by the talented Linda Hall, who has also co-written one of the numbers, whilst twelve of the thirteen others are self penned Richie originals.Underpinning Richies’ quality performance is The Lowdown, who are; the aforementioned Linda Hall; vocals, Steve King; tenor, alto and baritone sax, ‘Slick’ Dick Hanson; trumpet, Phil ‘The Rock’ Lucas; bass, Dave Lennox; Hammond organ and Paul Atkinson; drums.

Richie and The Lowdown have produced an album which, by rights should put them in the forefront of English blues. Hopefully, a brave high profile label will give this band the backing that is long overdue.Buy British! Have, a bloody good toe tapping time.

B.Harman

http://www.bluesartstudio.at

" A new CD BLUESIQUE from my friend Richie Millton nice tunes and great vocals for Linda Hall and Richie."

nonny.james@bbc.co.uk.

There's a big jazzy opening to Richie Milton's fourth album, his first for Note Records, Bluesique. Had No Lovin sets the scene for what you can expect from Richie and his backing band, The Lowdown. It's big and bold and Dave Lennox's funky organ will have you dancing in the aisles. All 14 tracks are written by Richie and the complete lyrics are on the booklet. If Love Is A Crime starts a run of soul/R&B songs and the horns make this one a winner. Steve King on sax and 'Slick' Dick Hanson on trumpet are an excellent backdrop to Milton's style.

Get Naked is more soul/R&B and Blind To Her Love is a tear-jerker which is almost gospel in its delivery. The title track has the horns to the fore again for a competent big band swinger and there's a big sax and organ build up to the slow track Life Is Strange. This is the highlight of the album with Linda Hall's sultry vocal and it sounds as if it could have been the theme for a sixties detective movie. Heavenly Moon has barrelhouse piano and sounds very much like Dr. John, right down to Milton's vocal. There's a little bit of Randy Newman in there as well.

Rock and Roll gets an airing on the uncomplicated Takes 2 To R&R and Tip Of My Tongue. Back to R&B for Nothing Can Stop Me and, not for the first time, it's the horns that make the song. Better The Devil flirts between country and rock and roll and has a good-time feel to it but I couldn't help humming Wild Side Of Life along to it. Another rock and roll song, this time a ballad, turns up in the form of My Confession. This is another of the better songs on the album and is sung in a 50s style.

The album finishes with two differing songs, the slow R&B of Don't You Just Know It and the slight ska feel to the start of Goodbye Song. The former of the two is a better song with its easy feel and with the band on top form. However, the vocals are not quite up to it on this occasion. The latter is a fun way to end the set.

This has more plus's than minus's and I think that Richie Milton and The Lowdown will do good business with it and a number of the songs will go down well live. The album is due for release on 15th of March 2005.

David Blue -

www.netrhythms.co.uk

MY Oh My, what an eye-opener this is! I have to admit I have not heard of Richie and his band before, but once heard never forgotten. This is the real deal! Without exception, the fourteen tracks on this album are ass-kicking, soul-tinged, funky R&B of the highest quality. Richie Milton (v,g), and the Lowdown (Steve King (ts, as, bs, p, org), Dick Hanson (t), Phil Lucas (b), Dave Lennox (org), Paul Atkinson (d) and vocalist Linda Hall) are tight-as-tight and swing like nobody's business. This all comes with horn arrangements that would not shame the boys from Muscle Shoals or The Room Full of Blues Horns and some original songs with juicy lyrics. All the tracks, with two exceptions were penned by Richie; and even one of those two was co-written by him. Linda Hall, the backing singer on most of the tracks, is also given a chance to show her solo skills (and very good it is too). Frankly I can't wait to hear this band live

This is Richie's first album for Note Records but it must not be the last. Why are you still sitting there? Go and get a copy of this one straight away you will never regret it.

Ian McKenzie

http://www.bluesinthesouth.com/

Just wanted to add that I did listen to the album and fell totally in love with the track "LIFE IS STRANGE".
Astonishing Vocals and a deep rich sound from the Organ. Totally Magical.! Best savoured at five thirty in the morning,in the car ,volume and bass cranked up to eleven. Sent shivvers down my spine. Lush stuff.

http://www.internetradio.co.uk

....14 good time tracks on his typically up to snuff outing “Bluesique”

http://www.ukbob.com/

I think the album is superb & I particularly like “Blind To Her Love” & “My Confession” , these are the type of numbers that for me, Richie excels at. I am looking forward to the launch party.

With their first release on the Note-Records label, Richie Milton & the Lowdown have the excellent Bluesique scheduled for release in the first quarter, a fine collection of swinging and jazzy numbers, big band style mixed with some really cool blues. Classic Richie Milton stuff!

http://www.phoenixfm.com/

Bluesique. Big band blues from guitarist Mr Milton whose written some pretty good tunes for this CD. A nice sound on this, crisp guitar work, neat horn arrangements and impressive organ playing from Steve King.