Sonny Black Heart And Soul

Sonny Black is a British guitarist whose style includes bows to Earl Hooker (Through Heaven’s Eyes), Joe Pass, Grant Green (Grant’s Groove), Fred Roulette, and even the Piedmont pickers (Raggin’ The Strings). There is a very clean, restrained, almost unplugged, late night feel to Heart and Soul and many of the original songs owe as much to jazz (Bluesology) as to blues (Checkin’ In). The Dukes provide wonderfully understated support with Bob Haddrell’s piano and B-3 leading the rhythm section, George Pearson on bass and Dino Cocchia on drums. Some horns occasionally sit in, but this is essentially a guitar-led quartet moving easily and comfortably through a wide range of blues, jazz and jazz/blues originals.