Gwyn Ashton is a bit of a maverick, a nomadic troubadour, born in Wales, raised in Australia, and on the road ever since. Grease Bucket is visceral – as raw as feasting on bloodied steak. Ten totally original blues tracks, for tortured souls, with Aussie bassist Chris Lambden and drummer Paul Wheeler. Brace yourself to be blitzed in the Ashton liquidiser.
Thumping drums, a filthy five-string ’60s guitar, and thundering bass open Something the Cat Dragged In – a serious night on the tiles. It’s rock ’n’ roll; daytime is for sleeping it off. Guaranteed to wake you up. They slip straight into the funk groove of Howling at the Moon, full of heavy bass riffs and howling slide. Guest organist Jesse Deane Freeman steps up for Green Light Blues: green means go, but it’s the end of the road – a more soulful shade of blues.
Seriously fuzzed-up lap steel assaults our ears in the swaggering When the Well Runs Dry. Vocals are delivered punk-rap style, but ask yourself: what are YOU gonna do when the money runs out? Savage but addictive.
Drums bring in the Cream-like Somebody – a great slice of rock-blues, with insistent, punchy rhythm, and guitar and slide as raw as a paper cut. A brilliant, unmissable track.
Hard-edged as a knuckle sandwich, Self Isolation Blues may feel a bit behind the times now, but it’s in yer face and impossible to ignore. Ashton sees the coast is clear: time to get Down and Dirty. The title sums it up – it’s about grabbing the moment when it’s presented, and yes, we’re talking s-e-x. Wonderfully filthy slide and greasy lyrics.
The album closes with Blues for the Tortured Soul – solid, driving rhythm, plastered with plenty of slide-edged guitar. A strong finale to what is probably Ashton’s best album to date.
Ashton has recorded with with Rory Gallaghers band, played with Robert Plants, and worked through a bucket-list of rock-band musicians. On this album he leaves nothing out: playful lyrics delivered like custard pies, mean guitar riffs filling your mind – a full-on assault. Gwyn Ashton has created an excellent, seismic record.
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By: Graham Munn