Released by: Ruf Records
Released Date: June 16th
Genre: Blues Rock
Links: https://ashleysherlock.com/
Line Up:
Ashley Sherlock – Guitars, Lead Vocals
Charlie Rachael Kay – Bass, Backing Vocals
Danny Rigg – Drums, Backing Vocals
Tracklist:
1. Trouble
2. I Think She Knows
3. Realise
4. Empty Street
5. Time
6. Our Love
7. Goodbye To You
8. Dear Elizabeth
9. Something’s Got To Give
10. Last Call
11. What If I Said To You
12. Backstage Wall
ASHLEY SHERLOCK is the latest new blues rock talent on the RUF RECORDS label. After releasing 2 EPs, he is now releasing his first full-length CD Just A Name. The Manchester, UK-based musician has already supported the likes of THE QUIREBOYS, KRIS BARRAS BAND, and LAURENCE JONES, and he is already building a huge name with his kinda twist to the current heavy blues rock sound. Besides Ashley on vocals and guitar, he is assisted by drummer DANNY RIGG, and bassist CHARLIE RACHAEL KAY. Together they have recorded 12 songs that musically are a joy for the fans of the current modern heavy blues rock sound like JOE BONAMASSA, LAURENCE JONES, KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD, and such. I have to say however that Ashley has his own identity, which is good of course, but he is quite far removed from blues rock sometimes, especially at the beginning of the album.
His voice is amazing, soulful, and at times going up to a very high octave, and his songs show he is influenced by 90s Altrock, modern American rock, and a little bit of heavy bluesy hard rock of the late 80s as well, so this CD certainly is not a straight-ahead typical blues rock record. TESLA and THE BLACK CROWES are comparisons I can easily make when hearing such sensational songs as Trouble, I Think That She Knows, and Goodbye To You. Calmer songs like Time, Our Love, and Dear Elizabeth show that he can easily write a radio pop hit in the same way for example QUINN SULLIVAN or DAVY KNOWLES. Dear Elizabeth is an absolute winner, and could almost be described as a semi-melodic rock/AOR ballad like MITCH MALLOY fronting FOREIGNER, and yes here in this song we can finally hear Ashley shred a superb soaring guitar solo, so this might be the highlight of the album (along with the similar kinda song Last Call).
The material is sometimes close to the modern American radio-ready rock sound, with a light bluesy and southern rock touch to make it sound a little bit different (the closing track Backstage Wall for example is such a superb song!).
Ashley is a truly gifted singer and guitarist, who is not shy to move away from the blues as already mentioned several times, and this first CD is without a doubt one of the finest releases on RUF RECORDS lately. SENSATIONAL!
Written by: Gabor Kleinbloesem
Ratings: Gabor 9/10
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