2026 – Independent Release
Release Date : July 3, 2026
By Phillip
Smith; Aug.
8, 2026
UK harp-master Giles Robson continues to represent
the blues with a legitimate authority on his latest release Nine Blues
Originals. This is his fifth album
since picking up a Blues Music Award in 2019 with the Alligator
Records release Journeys to the Heart of the Blues he recorded with Joe
Louis Walker and Bruce Katz. Containing
nine timeless tracks of original unplugged blues stripped down to the bare
necessities, this new record features Robson teaming up once again with acclaimed
blues guitarist Manny Fizzotti for an up-close and personal listening
experience.
It’s almost impossible to not be bombarded with some kind of conflict each and every day. It’s better to pick and choose one’s battles for a number of reasons, and “I Ain’t Got a Dog in That Fight” is a worthy reminder to mind one’s own business. Fizzotti’s acoustic guitar performance smoothly blends with Robson’s blues-soaked harmonica and vocals on this very catchy song. I love his re-working of Memphis Slim’s “Boogin’ and Bluesin’”. Bestowed with new lyrics and a new title, the song “Town to Town (For Memphis Slim)” is a riveting homage to one of Robson’s blues heroes and is a tribute to the working bluesman on the road. Contrived by Robson after looking back on his extensive tours covering over eighteen countries a year, this one is a surefire stand-out. With each listen to “Never too Clever for the Blues”, I’m quickly drawn into the pre-war blues sounds of The Mississippi Sheiks and Robert Johnson. Robson delivers a warm and flawless performance as Fizzotti pours a genuine authenticity into the song on resonator guitar. Two fan-favorites are thoughtfully brought onboard from prior albums, originally recorded with a full band, one can now hear them re-recorded in a duo format: “Your Dirty Look & Your Sneaky Grin” and “The G.R. Shuffle”. Closing out the album is “Blues for Joe Louis Walker”, a beautiful instrumental tribute to Robson’s friend and mentor. Prior to Walker’s passing in 2025, Robson had organized and performed on his last tour.
Giles Robson’s Nine Blue Originals serves up the blues in its purest form with true musicianship. It’s definitely an album which blues aficionados will want to hear.
For more information about Giles
Robson, visit his website https://gilesrobson.com/