Still bashing the keys in the Barnes area and elsewhere, veteran blues rocker Zoot Money is a real survivor with the skills and character to capture and keep the attention of any audience. Here he is tackling a set of compositions by Steve and Mark Owers plus one by ace vocalist and writer Michael d’Abo of Manfreds fame and beyond.

Mr Money pounds the keys with zeal and invention, as you would expect. Songwise Mr Money has screaming guitar and a lively piano chording with a lyric taking in speed cameras and other grouseworthy matters. Still Alive has a choppy beat, dirty guitar riffing and emphatic vocal. It’s all well-recorded so all the witty lyrics can be appreciated. Sunny Skies is a lovely blues-soaked number with fluid guitar and a well-paced vocal brimming with character and soul, a real gem.

Liberty almost sounds like Albert King at his pokiest and the organ break sounds terrific. Jack Tar Blues is softly taken and has an airy, lonesome feel. It Could Be That Way is a choppy rocker and Zoot sings well over an ascending chord progression. Wouldn’t You Just Know It is night music with another soulful vocal performance and entertaining chords. If Age Brings Wisdom is a stomping final track.

The record shows Money off well as a singer with a rich personality and experience. For me the harsh hatchet-faced Gary Moore fuzz guitar is over-used – there are so many other tones to use but this is the fallback sound for players who just HAVE to sound mean, for whatever reason. The guitar playing itself is very good and this is a quality clutch of songs.

Pete Sargeant