The Bluesbones

Live On Stage

Naked/Donor Productions

The Bluesbones are a five-piece Blues-Rock band from Belgium first formed in 2011. The following year they released their debut album “Voodoo Guitar”.  In 2012 and 2016 the band was the winner of the Belgian Blues Challenge, and finished second in 2017’s European Blues Challenge held in Denmark. This is their sixth album overall as they continue to follow up each of their three studio recordings with a live one; resulting in over 400 shows to become one of Europe’s most popular live concert attractions. The band has performed at festivals all over Europe including Belgium’s Swing Wespelaar Festival; and has opened for or shared the stage with Jimmy Vaughan, Tommy Castro, Guy Forsyth, Laurence Jones, and Jimmy Thackery.

The band includes Nico De Cock, vocals; Stef Paglia, guitar and backing vocals; Edwin Risbourg, Hammond organ, Rhodes, and backing vocals; Geert Boeckx, bass; and Jens Roelandt, drums. All of the songs are written by the band.  The twelve tracks from “Live On Stage” includes nine that were first included on their 2018 studio album “Chasing Shadows”.

The Bluesbones’ sound is perhaps closer to a classic rock sound than most blues bands. On most of their songs the organ is surprisingly upfront while the guitar is further back in the mix. Highlights include De Cock’s strong vocals on “Demon Blues” and “Betrayal” both of which are currently receiving considerable airplay on blues radio. Other favorites include “Going Down”, the seven-minute “Sealed Souls” a slow blues with a spiritual narrative from De Cock while Paglia takes an impressive solo; and “Psycho Mind” with some truly fine organ from Risbourg.

Both the New Orleans inspired “Witchdoctor” and the fan favorite “Cruisin’” first appeared on the band’s 2012 debut album.  The closer “Whiskey, Drinking Woman” features some nice lead guitar from Paglia; the song is reprised from 2013’s “Live At The Bosuil”. Throughout the recording the songs are infused with the funky rhythm section of bassist Boeckx, and drummer Roelandt. Sometimes the band is reminiscent of The Doors.

The Bluesbones are unafraid to jam on their songs, and realize that they are best when heard live. Check them out if you love organ based Blues-Rock.

Richard Ludmerer