London-born, Tasmanian-based, and of Celtic and Sri Lankan heritage, it is fair to say that Sheyana is a global music traveler, someone with all manner of cultural and creative DNA running through her – someone who could have embraced any number of musical sounds or styles.
But it is through the sonic waters of the blues that we find her steering a course, particularly the funky, rock-infused, electric part of that musical ocean.
As “Forth Valley Blues” kicks off the album, you know you are in safe hands, with echoes of stalwarts such as Messrs Z, Z, and Top or Stevie Ray himself running through it. And if it is this opening, up and at ’em, take no prisoners, raw and raucous, funky and fun and frenzied end of the spectrum that is your cup of tea, All The Best is going to feel like a welcome oasis of authenticity in and desert of chancers.
“Big Love” swaggers and struts with cool and confidence, “Remarkable Man” comes at you like a runaway train, blistering guitar lines, and Sheyana’s bold and brilliant vocals, relentless and raucous leading the charge, and songs such as “Soul Sister” show us that she is at home with the seductive and soulful as she is with the fiery and ferocious.
I often get frustrated with the number of rock and rollers who think that just because their chosen sound is based on blues forms, they can transition to that genre easily. Many try, few capture its spirit. Blues is an attitude, an approach; it isn’t something you can turn on and off. It permeates the artist’s life, at least it should if you want it to sound authentic.
Sheyana and her band are about as authentic as it gets.
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