Matty T Wall - Transpacific Blues, Vol. 1 (2019)

The career of Australian blues-barnstormer, Matty T Wall, has been on a rising path since his debut album, 2016’s Blue Skies, was nominated as Best Blues Album (International) at the 15th Annual Independent Music Awards. The follow-up, 2018’s Sidewinder subsequently reached the upper echelons of blues airplay charts in Australia, the US and Europe, opening doors all around for this firebrand singer/songwriter/guitarist.

Wall’s newest step forward may be a tad unexpected, but it’s certainly welcome. A love of blues traditions combined with a thirst for new and different approaches to the genre has resulted in a collaborative album of classic blues songs with creative twists.

So aptly titled Transpacific Blues Vol. 1, the album finds Wall reaching across the oceans to trade licks with some of the greatest blues players right now, such as the likes of Eric Gales, Walter Trout, Kirk Fletcher, Kid Ramos, and fellow West Australian, Dave Hole.

The album features three standards purely showcasing Wall and his band, namely Stormy Monday, Tore Down and Crossroads.

In any and all cases, it sounds like everyone’s having a whole lot of fun.

With the experience complete and ready for release one can’t help but note that Vol 1. would suggest more of these to come. It’s entirely possible, but Wall continues to write his own new music and there is no doubt some future surprises in store. Meanwhile, Transpacific Blues Vol. 1 is ready and waiting for those who want to take something from its bluesy goodness.