Connor Selby.

CONNOR SELBY
(Provogue/Mascot)

By Paul Davies

The British blues scene is blessed with a recent intake of young blues artists establishing themselves and quickly maturing into this everlasting genre. Enter triple-winning Young Blues Artist of the Year blues singer-guitarist Connor Selby who has his self-titled 2021 album re-issued on the prestigious Provogue/Mascot label with four deeply engaging bonus tracks that make this album well worth buying again. Hailing from the county of Essex, following his peripatetic former years in Connecticut and Dubai, it’s Selby’s remarkably mature vocals that grab attention initially. There’s a hint of Ray Charles, and Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland even, in his deep timbre delivery that will serve him extremely well as he undeniably progresses in his career. Then there’s the exquisite lead guitar phrasing that reminds me of primetime Eric Clapton and BB King. However, this would mean little without a strong grip on the full range of blues stylings and Selby has these firmly in hand. There’s the slow-burn horn-powered feel of I Can’t Let Go and Falling In Love Again with warm washes of Hammond Organ and cool-as-blue-ice musicianship from the Masterlink house band. Selby’s judicious selection of hot guitar licks proves he isn’t no copycat as this blues cat seems to have it all and top producer Stefan Redtenbacher deftly mixes these musical ingredients without overcooking them. Standout track, Emily, exudes dramatic blues-rock class as does the balladlike precision of The Man I Ought To Be and the gospel tinged Hear My Prayer. Although his lyrics err towards the tropes of documenting broken relationships and sorrowful ruminations, his songwriting and musical execution are joyously superb. It’s no surprise that he is supporting Beth Hart on her Spring UK tour. Connor Selby is already a superstar in all but name and I’d wager my collection of original blues records that Selby will join this pantheon of blues artists before his time is done. Connor Selby is the real deal.