Young, Gifted & Blue
Heavy Soul EP
The Rolling Stones recently celebrated 50 years together after first playing their R&B-laden set at The Marquee Club on 12th July 1962 (filling in for Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, who were recording a session for the BBC). Half a century later, four lads from Ireland (aged, I believe, just 15) called The Strypes have released a blistering four-song 7” vinyl EP on Heavy Soul Records entitled Young, Gifted & Blue.
Featuring Bo Diddley’s ‘You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover’, Slim Harpo’s ‘Got Love If You Want It’, Billy Boy Arnold’s ‘I Wish You Would’ and Eddie Holland’s ‘Leavin’ Here’, this is authentic blueswailing R&B played with a maturity that belies their youth. Great passion and superb musicianship (including some great harmonica) give an authentic Yardbirds/Rolling Stones/Pretty Things vibe and it is no surprise that they have already made several appearances on Irish TV and at various festivals, as well as playing many packed out gigs, most recently bringing their set to the UK.
With a new 7” in the pipeline via US label Lust Records, (to be recorded at the legendary Toe Rag Studio), and numerous gig offers coming in, there’s a real buzz around The Strypes right now, and justifiably so. If you’re a fan of Maximum R&B played with Fire ’n’ Skill, get yourself a copy of this 7” now while stocks last. In years to come, you’ll be pleased you did.
Paul Hooper-Keeley
Awesome article on The Stryoes new EP "Young, Gifted & Blue". It's a great album & I purchssrd both the CD & the vinyl LP. One of the best music purchases i recently made. Thomas Beckman from Phila, Pa USA @,CREWBOY1963@AOL.COM
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