Built For Comfort's second album sees them producing another classy batch of tunes.  The line-up is unchanged and they admit that classic Chicago Blues is their muse.  In particular, Muddy Waters is their key influence.  This isn't a tribute album but, as they say, ' a tip of the hat ' to the master.  All ten tracks are covers but it's an interesting mix of well and lesser known songs. 

Bruce McCabe's Rack 'Em Up provides a mid-paced opener with a tasty guitar break.  The old standard Caldonia is next, a great harp solo and I liked the rhythm section work here too.  The tempo slows down for BB King's I'm A Bluesman with a nice guitar intro and harp solo.  Muddy's Diamonds At Your Feet is absolutely spot on the style, a real cracker of a track.  I also liked the next track, Sonny Boy's "Don't Start Me Talking, again right on the button with good guitar and harp work.  Bobby Charles' Why Are People Like That is another less obvious choice that works well.  The title track is given a jaunty beat and the guitar puts in one or two Brownie McGhee flourishes.  The next two tracks Gone Too Long and Ridin' On The L & N, have the harp doing it's train impressions and on the former the drums clickety clack nicely too.  An interesting closer, Twistin' The Night Away, but again it works. 

This is a solid band performance, which is again in tune with their main influences.  As I said on their previous outing, Alec's light vocals work well.  Bill's harp work is excellent throughout and John's guitar work is well in style and the solos are sharp and to the point.  All this is anchored by a solid but never stodgy rhythm section.  Another excellent album which I thoroughly enjoyed. 

Recommended!  Rating 9 Blues In Britain Magazine

These guys were reviewed back in 2003 with their previous album and are back with this fine new set after festival performances at Upton and Marlborough have bought them bigger and appreciative audiences. Well I guess we should have expected that after the last review we did.

All tracks are covers done their way from Bruce McCabe's Rack 'Em Up (feels longer than the 5.05 listed), BB King's I'm A Bluesman, McKinley Morganfield's Diamonds At Your Feet (you can feel the enjoyment on this one), Sonny Boy Williamson's Don't Start Me Talkin' and Sam Cooke's Twisting The Night Away amongst them.

The biggest influence on this band is Muddy Waters to whom they dedicate this album as a 'tip of the hat' to acknowledge this late great blues legend who they all credit as 'an inspiration'. If anyone wants a band that dedicate themselves to re-creating that Chicago sound, then look no further than BFC. Loved Gone Too Long (Ray Bonneville) with it's easy rhythm and biting harp. Nice one again guys.

Blues Matters