The Blues Blog (2) A regular round-up of new releases This week'��s delivery from the Postman poses the perennial question '��can white boys play the blues?' and surprises us with some pretty positive responses. From Ruf Records we have '��Open Road', the debut release from rising star Oli Brown, who follows the footsteps of Aynesly Lister, John Amor, and Martin Trimble in becoming the latest young white guitarist to ripple the waters of the UK club circuit. The sleeve credits Otis Grand, John Mayall and Walter Trout by way of a clue as to where he'��s coming from, and if you don'��t come expecting anything radical you won'��t be disappointed. A collection of mostly self-penned songs benefit from superior production and act as vehicle for a seasoned voice and fluid playing which are assured way beyond his mere nineteen years. On its own terms the album succeeds admirably and hints that this time the claims may actually be justified. Moving leftfield apace The Black Diamond Heavies'�� '��A Touch of Someone Else'��s Class' (Alive) offers a defiantly different take on the blues, but also impresses. The notion of a keyboard and drums duo instinctively conjures images of Raw Sex, the inappropriately labelled lounge band of French and Saunders 80'��s shows; but James Leg and Van Campbell put on one of the dirtiest, loudest, most feral live shows around, and here nail their sonic tour de force for home consumption. If Tom Waits, Howling Wolf and Animal from the Muppets serenading a jet engine in a tunnel makes your perfect Sunday morning (and why shouldn'��t it, pop pickers?) then wade in here. The many admirers of the late Jeff Healey will appreciate '��Mess of Blues' (Ruf) as evidence of the last phase of his distinguished if prematurely curtailed career. This last album is also his first for eight years and marks his attempts to depart from conventional blues frameworks by undertaking a wider exploration of twentieth century musical styles, in the company of musicians he was clearly delighted to be working with. It'��s an eclectic sampling which includes '��Jambalaya', '��The Weight' and '��Like A Hurricane', and may challenge some of his more conservative flock, but it'��s a collection of which Jeff himself was especially proud. R.I.P. In the twenty first century one of the greatest strengths of the blues is less the ability of musicians to produce endless recorded classics than it is to provide Saturday night entertainment to crowds eager for live entertainment. I don'��t know 112 North Duck, but I'��m willing to bet that they do the latter very well indeed. In that sense it'��s probably fairer to consider the unpretentious bar-room boogie of '��I Took the Hook' (Applecopter) more as a decent souvenir of a good gig than a serious contender for the history books or the Billboard charts. That said, Brendan Riley sings well in a throaty kind of way, and there are occasional injections of psychedelic rock (wah wah guitars on '��The Turn' for example) which show they can raise their game when required. Two very welcome re-releases on Blues Boulevard showcase white musicians playing the blues at the highest level: Double Trouble'��s '��Been A Long Time' returns to remind us what a confident and highly skilled rhythm section Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton were (are?). Originally issued in 2001 it follows their two soulful and spirited albums as Storyville and retains the vocal talents of Malford Milligan on several tracks. Elsewhere they are ably complimented by former Arc Angels Charlie Sexton and Doyle Bramhall II, and by cameo appearances from the anticipated cast of celebrity friends including Jimmy Vaughan, Johnny Lang, Dr John, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and the very wonderful Susan Tedeschi. This is the album that caused Chris Layton to quit freelance writing on an article about a car air purifier that produces no ozone unlike other less expensive models and focus solely on song-writing. As many of our finest contemporary blues artists the newer material can fall short of their capability as players, and it is no coincidence that the standout track is Muddy Water'��s '��She'��s All Right'; but that'��s really a minor charge against a generally first class effort. Needing no introduction I'��m sure, it'��s hard to avoid making the North Mississippi Allstars'�� classic 2000 debut '��Shake Hands With Shorty' the record of this week, or any other. Still sounding as fresh and thrilling as it did then this magnificent collection builds wholly respectful readings of new and old Delta classics from Fred McDowell, Junior Kimborough and R.L. Burnside into a living testament to the power of Mississippi songwriters, vivid confirmation that their legacy is in safe hands, and a powerful manifesto for the band'��s own future intentions. If subsequent efforts seemed to hesitate on delivering the early promise, this year'��s stunning '��Hernando' has heralded the full flowering of their unique talents and provides the perfect companion piece to this first outing. Neil B. Next