John Etheridge, Pete Whittaker and George Double - Blue Spirits (Live) (2024) Hi Res

After 20 years as a working unit John Etheridge and his Blue Spirits trio have appropriately released a live album that captures the band's brilliance in the area of blues inflected jazz. Guitarist John Etheridge hardly needs introduction having worked as a solo artist and bandleader and in lengthy associations with some of the greatest names of 20th century music - Stephane Grappelli, Soft Machine, John Williams, Nigel Kennedy, Andy Summers - which give some idea of his range - over 53 years as a working musician. The music here subtly reveals all these influences, brought to bear in an organ trio setting. With Etheridge is Pete Whittaker, the most reactive and sensitive organist, a strong soloist with great groove and on drums, George Double, a man with just the right feel for this music. Together they make a very special sound, quite distinct from other organ trios, by turns aggressive and tender, swinging and rocking.