It's 21st Century Blues music. As Blues Matters said in their review 'It's blues Jim, but not as we know it'. Instead of 'I woke up this morning' this has stories of Vampires, haunting letters, an old ghost and a trilogy about a hitman. Solos abound.

13 MP3 Songs in this album (58:07) !
Related styles: Blues: Blues-Rock, Blues: Guitar Blues, Mood: Intellectual

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Details:
Sleeve notes for the 'RED' cd from Steve Lally
When I first saw Iain Hearfieldâs band Red Herring, I was suitably impressed by the tight three-piece unit that they were with a very full sound, essential in a trio but not always the norm. It quickly became apparent that Iain was not only an especially competent and refreshingly fluid guitarist; he was also an uncompromisingly masterful exponent of guitar special effects. Iain uses FX to create ambience and atmosphere and this adds to the bands fullness of sound. However it is so subtle, you are hardly aware of their use. I believe it is the atmospheric value of Iainâs music, both vocally and instrumentally, that puts him a cut above the rest.
The next time I saw Iain, I asked him if he had considered writing a blues album, after all, the cover versions of blues in the Red Herring repertoire were more than just competent, they were wonderful. Taking the CD album Howardâs Garage as an example of what level of excellence can be achieved by an independent artist, I had great faith in Iainâs ability to produce a high quality and quite possibly, a uniquely styled blues CD.
As Iain wrote and recorded tracks for this proposed CD, he sent me the pre- production drafts. The first three tracks I received were as impressive as I had expected. Some weeks later, I received another six songs to give my humble opinion upon. The sophistication of the recording just knocked me out. I played the tracks over and over again in my car, hanging on to every note. I marvelled at the clever overdubbing of the guitars, the melodic and riffy bass lines, the intelligent use of cymbals as accents, and most importantly, the way those components were blended so perfectly. Iain is as impressive as a studio technician as he is a musician.
All too often the term âSolo Albumâ is misleading where an established band member recruits guests and session players to produce the record. This would not ring true with Iain Hearfield. Apart from two tracks with Dave Samuels, the Red Herring bassist who happened to be passing at the time and had âitchy fingersâ, Iain has sang, played guitar, bass and drums, and produced and recorded the whole album solo. No mean achievement.
Guitar buffs might be interested in the details of the instruments used during the recording of this excellent CD. Apart from Iainâs faithful Stratocaster, the tracks Solitary Man and Sentenced to Death By The Blues feature Iainâs Squire Venus twelve-string, whilst a De Armond Jetstar, closely based on Muddy Watersâ legendary Guild Thunderbird, was used on the third solo of Whats Goinâ On. An extremely rare Gibson solid 335S Professional, with its wonderfully varied range can be heard on Just The Dark and Old Ghost.
Another important aspect of Iainâs music is the lyrical one. The lines âWoke up this morningâ and the like just arenât part of this musicianâs phrasebook. Instead we have hit-men, vampires and stalkers and even Baldock gets a mention, which is a change from Louisiana! Always interesting and covering diverse subjects, it came as no surprise that that Iainâs creativity with the pen came to the fore. On three tracks Iainâs music is coupled with the lyrics of Duncan Mangham. Iain emphasised the importance of this particular partner in music. This fruitful partnership was fused in the heat of the South African sunshine many years ago. Iain spent some time extensively touring South Africaâs Holiday Inn / Southern Sun circuit, honing his craft by night and following his hobby of photography by day. The partnership has spawned some fine compositions including the Red Herring repertoire staple âFlying Tigersâ and the excellent âHowardâs Garageâ inclusion âComplicatedâ. The song writing duo also came across the Red Herring drummer, Howard Evans (of Howardâs Garage Fame!) on the Dark Continent. The three have remained great friends ever since.
So to recap, I wrote earlier that I had faith in Iain Hearfield to produce a high quality and unusual blues CD. In hindsight, what is my opinion? Blues is an old musical genre but it has been breathed upon by the winds of time on this CD album. This is no high-gain Les Paul/Mesa Boogie supercharged highway to Hades and with respect to blues purists, nor is it a plantation dirge. Iain Hearfield has delicately crafted his own very unique style of 21st Century Blues. Here it is for you to enjoy.
- Steve Lally, Editor
Rock of the North.