Son of Dave - Shake a Bone Album Review

There has been much talk of a 'rebirth' of blues recently. This may be true, or it might just be that blues has continued to reach its biggest fans and only now is it back in the mainstream. Either way, Benjamin Darvill, aka Son of Dave, Son of Dave is bound to benefit from the supposed resurgence.

Throughout his fifth solo album, 'Shake A Bone', Darvill continues to show-off his talent for beat-boxing, playing the harmonica and being an absolute whiz with a shaker.

Both 'She Just Danced All Night' and 'Broke Down Lincoln' make use of these talents, with heavy use of a harmonica and the array of grunts that make this album so interesting to listen to.

Whilst is isn't really anything that hasn't been heard before, it does make you want to see Darvill live; the husky vocals complete with intermittent squeaks and his obvious passion for performing would surely make quite a show.

The album flits between slow-burners such as 'You All But Stay' and 'Guilty' and livelier, dirtier tracks such as 'Voodoo Doll' and 'Revolution Town'. The contrast between tracks is sometimes stark, but usually very welcome.

As an album it doesn't outstay its welcome, lasting just over thirty five minutes. The tracks certainly don't mess about; they turn up, get the job done and more on. It's the perfect album for those with a low attention threshold. The album is no doubt cleanly-produced, but maybe a bit too, well, clean. The tracks are bound to sound even better live; after all, if it's sleazy blues you're after, you're only going to be satisfied with seeing it right in front of you and it might just be a damn fine idea to experience a SoD gig.

After beat-boxing himself into a frenzy in 'Undertaker', Darvill's knack of layering different sounds into a track and eventually leading it to its close is tremendous. Add a shaker here, a tambourine there and he's pretty much good to go.

This is sleazy, grimy and makes you glad that people continue to hold the blues in such high esteem.


Katy Ratican