Kevan and The Black Country Sons - Album Review - What If

I have to admit it did take me a while to get into this collection of self-penned songs (all by Kevan Ward excepting Timebomb by Kevan Ward & Steve Newton), probably because this, Kevan Ward’s 3^rd album, is completely different to, say, the more blues-influenced Chasing Shadows. Originally formed in 2020 in the Black Country comprising Kevan Ward on guitar & vocals, and a fluid line-up, the band released their first album in December 2021.

The slide guitar remains and Kevan does have a powerful voice as anyone who has watched him live doing Led Zep and Free/Bad Company numbers will attest to this, but the subject matters of the 8 songs vary considerably, as do the styles though it is primarily a guitar-led rock album about the past, the future and contemporary issues, with riffs and lyrics referencing disco Chic, Silver Machine, David Bowie (amongst others) and the Black Country, of course.

The two opening tracks are about the future - “What If” featuring Dave Lowe on mandolin, guitar and bass and 01000…. about the influence of computers/AI - “not here to replace you” - both featuring rock guitar riffs. Dave Lowe on guitar on the latter. The slide returns with Dead Man’s Shoes from Gavin Monaghan and Who’s to Blame, complete with chick (?!) backing singers is another full-on vocal performance from Kevan. A Silver Machine intro sends us off to Space with Making New Ways, which references Major Tom and a Mr Blue Sky-esque background vocals, a mid-tempo rock song with a cracking guitar solo from Steve Newton. 9 Days about Lady Jane Grey seems out of place but she was under the influence of the Earl of Dudley - the Black Country link maybe? Another nice guitar solo from Steve Newton. Disco time with the chic-style Time Bomb with the return of the chick (?) backing singers and an organ, this time, which just rolls along and again featuring guitar by Steve Newton. The album closes with Jamboree Sam which starts out with slide, blues harp and distant vocals before establishing itself as a blues in homage to the Black Country back in the good ol’e days and in particular famous club JBs and its owner Sam, with some fine slide guitar from Gavin Monaghan (who also played bass). Mick Jones played drums on all tracks except Timebomb (Marc Poole). Bass also by Steve Newton, Dave Lowe, Charlie Harty and Kevan Ward.

Whilst listening to this I kept being drawn to a recent Meatloaf show seen on stage and then it came to me. This is essentially a rock-opera and I can envisage this being performed at the theatre in the manner of the recent Bat out of Hell stage show. Dancers and theatrics would complement this powerful collection of songs and make quite a spectacle. Any Producers out there?

Brum Blues

June 2025