BLUE CREDENTIALS ALBUM 2022
BLUE CREDENTIALS | MALAYA BLUE
AVAILABLE NOW!
Blue Credentials, the new Malaya Blue album is the follow up to the critically acclaimed Still, and as the title suggests finds the outstanding UK vocalist delving ever deeper into her blues heart. It’s certainly her most guitar driven album to date.
The fruitful collaboration with legendary blues writer and producer Dennis Walker is again at its core but this time with a world class band in the studio and writing contributions from Joey Delgado, Hank Linderman and Brett Lucas.
The long lost, and some said mythical, John Campbell track 'Howlin’ Mercy' finally sees the light of day 30 plus years after Dennis wrote it and Elektra chickened out of releasing it. Malaya doesn’t shirk from the heavy dark content, showing her increasing maturity as an artist of the highest order. Richard Cousins, Brett Lucas, John McCullough and Sam Kelly gathered from around the globe to lend their talents and experience and Malaya recorded every vocal live with the band, no overdubs or studio trickery.
Sadly, Dennis passed to the great juke joint in the sky but not before he had heard what would prove to be the last record he was involved with and gave it a big seal of approval. The bar has been well and truly raised.
'WORLD CLASS MUSICIANS COME TOGETHER FOR MALAYA BLUE RECORDING'
A quiet Norwich recording studio is the unlikely setting for the gathering of some of the best musicians from around the globe to play on local based vocalist Malaya Blue’s new album. Having said that it’s further proof of the recognition this lady is building. Previous release Still received Grammy consideration status in no less than 6 categories and spent over a year in the prestigious USA Roots Music Charts, an important industry barometer.
Read about the musicians below who have featured on this album, to appreciate the 'credentials' of all the performers on this album who have worked and still work with the likes of Robert Cray | Etta James | Bettye LaVette | Eric Clapton | Thornetta Davis | John Lee Hooker | Van Morrison | The Water Boys | Gary Moore | BB King | Ronnie Wood | Robert Plant | Paul Jones | Robben Ford ...the list goes on!
Tracks
01 You’re Act Has Worn Thin
02 Wrong Kinda Love
03 Oh, What A Fool
04 I Can’t Find No Love
05 The Time We Had
06 Curious
07 I’m Having Dreams Again
08 Good Intentions, Bad Results
09 Bring Me Your Sin
10 S et Me Free
11 Howlin’ Mercy
12 Messin’ Around
Scroll down for the musicians!
BLUE CREDENTIALS Album | The Musicians
RICHARD COUSINS | BASS
Richard Cousins founder member and bass player for the Robert Cray Band, . Considered by those who know as one of the top ten bassists in the world Richard has received 6 Grammy nominations, winning twice. He also spent almost 4 years in Etta James band and has performed or recorded with Eric Clapton, BB King, John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison and Bettye LaVette.
BRETT LUCAS | GUITAR
Brett Lucas is landing direct from The Motor City itself, Detroit…home of Motown. And Brett has an impressive 6 Detroit Music Awards, including Outstanding Instrumentalist, Recording and Songwriter. He has been guitarist and musical director for Bettye LaVette since 2007 touring the world and appearing on US TV shows with her. This is what she has to say about Brett….
‘’It’s hard for me to give short quotes, about Brett Lucas. He and I, have been all over the world together. I met him on his way up, and he met me still on the way. He brought me the spirit I needed, just when I needed it MOST. He has helped me SELL,...FIVE... Count um Five., GRAMMY NOMINATED RECORDINGS! When I walk on the stage, and hear him, I feel like, IT'S ON, he's going to help me, KICK ASS !!!!! AND I LOVE IT! I'm SO proud of him, and I feel I'm a part of his growth. I've been privileged to watch him every night...growing, from good, to brilliant.”
Brett also performs and records with the Queen of Detroit Blues, Thornetta Davis and Jeremy Spencer of Fleetwood Mac.
SAM KELLY | DRUMS
Sam Kelly has been the UKs go to Blues drummer since the late 70’s. He was awarded the UK Drummer of the Year Award no less then 5 times and the list of people he has worked with is a who’s who of music including Gary Moore, Chaka Khan, Robert Plant, Billy Ocean, Dr John, Paul Jones, Imelda May and Robben Ford to name just a few.
JOHNNY McCULLOUGH | KEYS
From Belfast, Johnny McCullough, the long-time band member and musical director for Sinead O’Connor. Johnny has also toured the world performing with The Waterboys, Van Morrison, Sharon Corr of The Corrs and Andrew Strong of Commitments fame.
CHRIS RAND | SAXOPHONE
Chris Rand is adding saxophone to some tracks and also brings an impressive CV having performed with Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood and Mick Taylor all of Rolling Stones fame, plus Nine Below Zero (debuting with them at Glastonbury) and toured extensively with Bad Manners.