Finnish guitar goddess Erja Lyytinen returns with a brand new live album recorded last year at the legendary 100 Club in London.
Live in London is second live album from Erja Lyytinen following her 2012 album, Songs From The Road. With nine studio albums under her belt, Erja is a prominent figure on the European blues scene and is probably best known for her incredible slide guitar play which features in abundance in her latest offering.
Erja’s band for the occasion consists of long-time musical partner Davide Floreno, bassist Roger Inniss, and drummer Miri Miettinen. Roger and Miri are both on the road with young British guitar slinger Laurence Jones. The caliber of these musicians means they are constantly in demand. Inniss is renowned for being a master of the six string bass.
The birthplace of the blues may be a long way from Helsinki, but Erja proves she and the blues are no strangers as she starts off the set with an incredible a capella rendition of “It’s a Blessing” by Mississippi Fred McDowell, which sets the tone for show perfectly.
Wasting no time, Miettinen kicks into the drum beat of “Let it Shine” and Erja let’s rip with some phenomenal wah infused slide guitar play. The show includes two other tracks from Erja’s 2008 album, Grip of the Blues, including the soulful and funky title track and up-tempo catchy number “Everything’s Fine.”
Lyytinen slows down the proceedings with the heartfelt “Change of Season” before delivering some more funky blues in the shape of “Hold on Together” which features a superb solo from Lyttinen. Both tracks are taken from Erja’s 2013 album Forbidden Fruit.
Lyytinen has made no secret of her admiration of Elmore James. Her last album, The Sky is Crying, paid homage to the great man himself. You would expect nothing less from the “Queen of Slide Guitar” to grapple with the King. Lyytinen’s set includes five Elmore James covers, including the nice and bluesy “Person to Person” and “Hand in Hand.”
The unmistakable opening riff of “The Sky is Crying” is enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. Lyytinen offers up some sublime slide guitar playing during which she exhibits phenomenal control. An epic rendition of “Dust My Broom” closes the show.
Live in London will be released in the UK on Tuohi Records on Monday 8th June 2015. The CD also includes a bonus DVD of the show at the 100 Club. Erja Lyytinen will be touring the UK extensively in October; we look forward to her return.