When bassist Constance Redgrave and drummer Maurice McElroy joined guitarist, songwriter and vocalist Ben Tyzack in 1999 the Spikedrivers underwent a transformation. They were a new band with a new approach and they needed a calling card to announce themselves.
At first they figured this would be what most bands would go for; a self-produced CD recorded live in the studio over a couple or so days that would be good enough to get them some work. However, the universe decided differently.
Maurice had been doing some gigs with Lee Sankey, an astonishing harmonica player who was about to start recording his own first album ‘My Day Is Just Beginning’. Lee convinced them to forget the “calling card” approach and do it for real. He also provided an introduction to ‘the best sound engineer in the world’ Phill Brown and designed all their CD artwork.
The result is sublime, rootsy blues album that lives up to it’s name. Recorded and mixed onto 16 track tape at timbuc2 studios in London over a two week period and done in the old-fashioned way. All instruments and lead vocals going down at the same time with very few overdubs and then mixed in true stereo instead of the “wide mono” that you hear so much of these days.
The 15 tracks are a mixture of original songs and old favourites played with ‘enough old fashioned back-porch honesty’ (Blues Revue) that it’s sometimes hard to tell which is which. Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Big Bill Broonzy sit so comfortably with Tyzack’s (and Redgrave’s) originals you forget the decades between them.
Gutsy vocals, great slide guitar and a rock-solid bottom-end. Delta Roots is way more than a calling-card.
Taking inspiration from their American roots and the country’s rich musical heritage, the Spikedrivers’ songwriting, vocal harmonies and unique instrumentation make their sound fresh and exciting.
The atmosphere created by the band takes you on a journey, from southern jukejoints and lazy front porches to the huge open spaces of dust bowls and railroad tracks disappearing into the distance.
"...three musicians interweaving and complementing each other perfectly." - fRoots UK
"Blues stripped down to its essential elements."
- Bass Player Magazine USA
...Swinging, toe-tapping, rootsy blues ...great rhythm and slide guitar...a fine album."
Blues Matters UK
" ...Semi-acoustic, country blues featuring Ben Tyzack's fine songwriting and spare, clean guitar lines".
Time Out UK
"All in all, Delta Roots is a habit-inducing little record that gradually sinks its teeth in and refuses to let go."
Blues Revue USA
“…a jewel-like collection of songs.”
Blueprint UK
Ben Tyzack
Guitar, vocals & harmonica
Raised in Charleston, South Carolina. Ben picked up his passion for the blues while growing up in the deep south. Once he heard the likes of Big Bill Broonzy, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Doc Watson in his fathers record collection the decision to play guitar was an easy one. After years playing in bands honing his fingerpicking and slide playing, Ben decided to start a project based around his love for early blues. He formed the Spikedrivers in 1992 and continues to develop the bands' sound and his song writing. Ben has also performed with Lee Sankey, Roger Askew and recently with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Constance Redgrave
Bass guitar, vocals & percussion
From Hollywood, California, Constance learned her craft at the Musicians Institute of Technology in Los Angeles. Her obvious talent landed her the gig with 'Christian Death' who were just about to leave for a European tour. Now living in London she has gone on to play with Otis Grand, Steve Cropper, Anson Funderburgh, Hank Wangford, Chris Jagger, Pierre La Rue, Wes McGhee, Companions of the Rosy Hours, Boo Hewerdine and The Colin John Band among many others.
Maurice McElroy
Drums, vocals & percussion
A "veteran blues drummer" according to Blueprint Magazine, Maurice originally hails from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Nicknamed 'The Groove Meister' by the Earl Green Band, his credits include Otis Grand, Larry Garner, Philip Walker, Robert Ward, Guitar Shorty, Wes McGhee, Kimmie Rhodes, Lee Sankey, The Colin John Band, and, of course The Earl Green Band.
“A masterpiece that should be in every collection.”
Mark T Smith, KJLU 88.9 FM Jefferson City MO
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