Mick Simpson: Unfinished Business

Unfinished Business
Mick Simpson

Having worked his way through the late 1980s as a session guitarist and working with the likes of John Parr (of St Elmo's Fire fame) in the 1990s, Mick Simpson hit new heights in the 2000s, playing alongside guitar heroes Gary Moore and Snowy White plus guesting with BB King at the latter's 80th birthday party in New York.

2010 brought the release of his debut solo album, Hard Road. Bringing things bang up to date is the impending release of his new album, Unfinished Business.

Track List

Trouble Brewing
Stepping Out
Unfinished Business
Playing the Losing Hand
The Light in Me
Shelter from the Storm
50 Miles from Memphis
You Gotta Change
For the Love of You
Left Me With the Blues
Chicago Blues
Traveling Man
Lonely Avenue
Drowning in My Tears

After the bullet-paced blues rock of Trouble Brewing - a strong opener - I was half-expecting the whole album to be in a very similar style, but there were numerous surprising changes of direction. Certainly, there are still more fast numbers along the way, such as 50 Miles from Memphis, but there's plenty of room for refreshing diversity across the 14 tracks.

The guitar work, which embraces a plethora of musical genres, is exemplary all through the 14 tracks. Like all good blues, the roots are clearly showing through. There are positive elements from luminaries such as Eric Clapton (Chicago Blues) to be found motivating various songs and we even go as far back as Robert Johnson (Traveling Man - with authentic crackle!).

Stand out tracks: Unfinished Business, Shelter from the Storm, Traveling Man

Have a listen for yourselves with this official Unfinished Business preview.



Unfinished Business will be released on 16 June.

For news and tour dates, head for the official Mick Simpson website.