From an unlikely setting, South Liverpool, but with a very fitting name comes Delta Maid. Citing such influences as Stevie Ray Vaughan and BB King she plays simple guitar and vocals blues.
Her latest EP “Broken Branches” starts with it’s namesake a soulful song about questioning love. A song backed by Delta’s immense vocals. Unfortunately as the EP opens, it peaks. It continues with “Stop Worryin’ Baby” singing a song which has been sung to death on country music “How do you cope when your job is getting you down”.
Tracks like “Don’t Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down” which in their own respect well written songs are what needs to change about the country and blues world. The songs hold a monotony that has the listener simply think “oh it’s a blues album that’s a nice novelty” instead of longing for the early 20th century.
The EP as a whole is too polished, the guitar playing lacks any dynamics. There’s no added bite when a particularly heart-wrenching lyric is uttered. The guitar seems to be there just to fill the void. Lyrically this EP is above par but this blues aesthetic seems forced and lacks sincerity, which unfortunately takes from some great songs with great potential. If you’re a fan of country and blues which it is unapologetically so don’t be afraid to pick this up. If not give it a miss.
Delta Maid play Electric Picnic 2010 September 3rd-5th