On the first listen to this debut album from Mitch Laddie two things impressed me. Firstly, Laddie is only 19 years old and secondly, just how good this boy is - the likes of Clapton, Trout and Healey would be used to putting out an album of this quality- and yet it is the work of a teenager from North East England. Starting to play the guitar at the age of 13, it was only 3 years before he was invited to play alongside one of heroes, Walter Trout, not only here in the UK but also in Europe.

'This Time Around' opens with instrumental track 'Awakening'- a song with echoes of Hendrix, then there is the Led Zep style blues of 'Here’s A Drink' - or the rousing version of James Brown’s 'Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag'- there are many influences to be found in not only Laddie’s style of playing but also in his song writing, which is mature beyond his young age. The production work on the album brings out the best in the music and it is no surprise that this was also handled by Laddie himself.

Other tracks to check out include 'Float On By', 'Miss Supernatural', 'All I Have' and a live version of B.B King’s 'Rock Me Baby', recorded with Walter Trout in New York.

With blues guitarists such as Joe Bonamassa becoming popular again, the time is right for an album like 'This Time Around'. Mitch Laddie is an artist to watch, if he is this good now- imagine what he will be like in 10 years time.

****

Review by Nikk Gunns