His playing based on early piano styles such as swing, stride, boogie and rhythm and blues, Gavin Povey showcases a palpable talent in When I Hear Rhythm $ Blues. This truly solo album provides a genuine display of Povey’s capabilities as it is just him singing and playing throughout.
Povey’s energy and vigour is projected from the very start of the album with Dr Blues. His virtuosity animates this syncopated boogie throughout, pointing to one of his foremost inspirations: Professor Longhair.
As first highlighted by the third track, Continental Cowboy, Povey’s abilities stretch across many varying styles, making this album lively and moving. Despite this, it is the ballad setting of this third track which allows his piano playing to radiate. Povey’s singing, which seems to really fit with this track, produces a reflective and nostalgic edge. As one of six Povey originals here, Continental Cowboy demonstrates his ability to create a beautiful, melodic yet virtuosic song, complementary to the other faster-moving tracks.
Povey’s treatment of the four cover tracks on this album are brilliant. He applies his own touches, such as the lax and somnolent vamp on Tom Wait’s Chocolate Jesus, a merry New Orleans jazz mood on At The Fat Man’s, as well as a mournful approach to House Of The Rising Sun which helps to express the song’s sombre tale.
With all the tracks recorded “live” in the studio as straight takes, singing and playing together, with no technical manipulation, Povey’s talent and piano genius impresses me even more. Povey felt that he “had to stand up and be counted”. This he unquestionably has accomplished, and wonderfully so.
Discography
Dr Blues; Some of the Parts; Continental Cowboy; St. Domonic’s Highway; Get Out on the Road Boy; At the Fatman’s; Chocolate Jesus; House of the Rising Sun; Love Potion No. 9; When I Hear Rhythm $ Blues (45.48)
Povey (p, v). Hideout Studio, Wicklow, Ireland, October 2019.
Hideout Records Ireland HOT 2001
