Bex Marshall

HITTING THE MARK!!!
Ingenious phrases on a wicked guitar, and strains of song that not only put you right there in the moment, but blare out how tremendously this British miss Bex Marshall does it all. Imagine an old Southern blues man and a mountain folk geezer together on a porch and they're thinkin' Led Zeppelin for some damn reason-maybe there's a big blimp on the sky. Anyway, the songs in this House of Mercy are scintillating and mesmerizing. "House of Mercy" itself ends in a hillbilly place after beginning life as a clipped soul rocker. The similes in "Gone Fishin'" take an expert hand, pushed and pulled on a bed of slippery, sassy funk. "Rent My Room" could have come out of Muscle Shoals circa 1968, and "Rattlesnake" slinks with jazzy style and strikes with serious Southern slide guitar. Outstanding in a field all her own? Damn near. (BexMarshall.co.uk) Tom Clarke/Hittin The Note - Tom Clarke/Hittin The Note

Maverick Magazine ...This Month The House Of Mercy is on the cover CD.... Bex Marshall wields a unique and powerful baton of blues-fused, rock, ragtime and roots that hits you like a flash of musical lightning. With an unbeatable voice that could tame the devil, and impressive talent for writing to match, she is for sure an artist on her way to high sucess. Your just going to love this gem.... "
- - Alan Cackett, Maverick Magazine UK (Feb 01, 2013)

Blues fans in America might not have heard of her... yet, but across the big pond, UK blues guitarist and singer Bex Marshall is considered the bees knees, and a few spins of her new record, The House of Mercy, shows you why. With a voice somewhere between Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi and a funky, nimble style of guitar picking, Marshall holds her own against anybody. This, her second album (following 2008's Kitchen Table), finds her playing a brew that reminds you a bit of early Little Feat, full of slippery slide licks on her resonator guitar or raising the roof on such cuts as "Gone Fishin'" or "Bite Me." Not to say the entire album is raucous; she can slow it down and hit you where it hurts on "Barry's Song" or "Big Man," and she displays an ease of playing that would make you think of a much more seasoned performer.
Historically the blues has been a genre dominated by males, at least as far as guitar players go, that is. But Bex Marshall's The House of Mercy could start to change all that. Because when she unleashes her Janis Joplin-equese growl on a song like "Rattlesnake" amid her howling guitar, she gives any blues guitarslinger a run for his money. Get down, blues woman!
Bex Marshall: bexmarshall.co.uk

- James Mann

About . Com
The House of Mercy is the third slab o' hot wax from British roots 'n' blues guitarist Bex Marshall, a self-produced eleven-song collection that has already won praise from the U.K. music press, described as “Bonnie Raitt and Led Zep jamming in an Everglades moonshine joint.” Marshall's gritty, soulful vocals bring to mind the late Janis Joplin while her sound is an inspired blend of blues, rock, bluegrass, and gospel that plays well in both the blues and Americana sandboxes. Ostensibly a low-budget indie release, The House of Mercy is nevertheless swankier than a lot of big money label albums, sporting striking cover graphics, solid production, full credits, and even a booklet with lyrics. This month's sleeper album, Marshall will do well if she scores some summertime festival gigs to go along with The House of Mercy. (Release date: 02/12/13)

There are a lot of new releases this week, with a few heavy-hitters - Anders Osborne, Otis Taylor, Devon Allman - reasonably expected to take position in the Top Ten and inject some fresh blood into a chart that has been dominated by longtime residents for too long. This week's sleeper is the third album from British blues-rock guitarist Bex Marshall, The House of Mercy. An up-and-comer on the thriving U.K. blues scene, Marshall's vocals are described as a cross between Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt, but her git-playing is the sort of pure fire & brimstone stuff that stateside audiences have been known to eat up. Marshall is one well worth checking out if the above sentences give your ears a tickle at all.....

- Blues By Reverend Keith A. Gordon, Blues Guide

POPMATTERS.COM

Bex Marshall: The House of Mercy
Stomping set of roadhouse blues
Bex Marshall kicks out some raunchy, sashaying, gospel-inflected, guitar-goddess-driven, rocking blues on her latest full-length, House of Mercy. This is a terrific album from start to finish, full of unexpected moments, ranging from the gospel-rock styling of the title track to the stomping closer, “Guilty”. Marshall isn’t a belter, but her voice is able to curdle and moan expressively, and her fingerpicking and string-bending are impressive. Slow tunes? Got ‘em (“Rattlesnake”, “Barry’s Song”). Uptempo booty shakers? Got those too (“Love”, “Bourbon Street”). An array of instruments flesh out the basic guitar-drums-bass sound, with everything from harmonica on “Bite Me” to dobro and mandolin on the title track to banjo on the excellent chug-a-lug of “Tough Times”. This is boogie-woogie roadhouse stomp at its best, elevated by precise musicianship, gutsy vocals and Marshall’s relentless unwillingness to do the same thing over and over. Give a listen and put yourself at her mercy. You’ll be glad you did.
Popmatters.com - By David Maine 11 February 2013

This is a crackin album Bex Marshall has assembled a terrific group of virtuoso musicians and
with excellent production value it sounds great!There isnt really a weak track on the album.Marshall dosnt overdo the guitar solos, sharing out the leads and solo parts to produce
a really classy sound. Having said that her guitar is immaculate, but its her voice that really shines on this album earthy and a bit gruff sounding like Janis Joplin at times, Bonnie raitt at others.
I love it, it deserves to sell very well!
- by Dancing Bear 16-Sept-2012

This is a crackin album Bex Marshall has assembled a terrific group of virtuoso musicians and
with excellent production value it sounds great!There isnt really a weak track on the album.Marshall dosnt overdo the guitar solos, sharing out the leads and solo parts to produce
a really classy sound. Having said that her guitar is immaculate, but its her voice that really shines on this album earthy and a bit gruff sounding like Janis Joplin at times, Bonnie raitt at others.
I love it, it deserves to sell very well!
- by Dancing Bear 16-Sept-2012

Any female blues slide guitarist is bound to gather comparisons with Bonnie Raitt. Well, if comparisons have to be made, then in Bex Marshall’s case they’re more than favourable.
And somehow, her throaty vocal performance and soulful blues groove, just has a greater degree of ‘authenticity’ of some of her British contemporaries (Joanne Shaw Taylor, for example).
The fact that she’s from Devon, and not the Southern States is something of a revelation.
Quite apart from the excellent vocals and guitar work, the album is infused with gospel vibes and some great playing courtesy of guest appearances including Don Wayne Reno (banjo), Dale Reno (mandolin) & Jake Byers (acoustic bass) all from Hayseed Dixie. B J Cole (dobro), Eileen Healy (fiddle), Gary Choules (acoustic bass) and Brigitte DeMeyer adding backing vocals, along with The Bex Marshall Band of Barry Payne (acoustic bass), Crispin Taylor (drums), Danny Bryan (percussion), Toby Baker (keyboards) and newest edition, gospel singer Shola Adegorove.
Make no mistake, Bex Marshall is the ‘real deal’ and I’m off to check out her previous two releases – Bootlace (2002) and Kitchen Table (2008). Impressive stuff.
Sept 2012 - ****_Review by Pete Whalley

British blonds and buxom, Bex Marshall doen''t exactly conform to the profile of the archetypal blues performer. Not that she's ever aspired to that. Marshall might shoot from the hip, but she's never aimed straight and narrow. By her own admission, England's answer to Bonnie Raitt is primarily interested in pushing the boundaries of the blues.
"There's not too many female players doin' what I'm doin' thats for sure,' she declares. "I like the idea of mixing things up. I'm a guitar picker who enjoys the different styles of playing. It's wonderful way to expose raw blues in a finger style that has the full flavour of blues rock with the down to earth reflection of the back porch."
"My style of playing surely didn't happen over night,"she continues, "and its difficult for me to begin to explain how I actually do it sometimes, but its a mixture of ragtime, slide and bluegrass with loads of lead licks kickin, in all at the same time, which means im playing two time signatures simultanieously. I have bass lines going on while my percussive beat in slappin the strings. "..............
Bex Marshall's catchy numbers, allied to her silky playing and earthy singing style, has helped make her a fixture on the burgeoning British blues club and festival circuit. Last year she won over American Audiences at the prestigious Folk Alliance in Memphis. Australia, one strongly suspects, will also succumb to her charm and charisma......
For Full interview see www.bexmarshall.co.uk
- Rythms Magazine

British blonds and buxom, Bex Marshall doen''t exactly conform to the profile of the archetypal blues performer. Not that she's ever aspired to that. Marshall might shoot from the hip, but she's never aimed straight and narrow. By her own admission, England's answer to Bonnie Raitt is primarily interested in pushing the boundaries of the blues.
"There's not too many female players doin' what I'm doin' thats for sure,' she declares. "I like the idea of mixing things up. I'm a guitar picker who enjoys the different styles of playing. It's wonderful way to expose raw blues in a finger style that has the full flavour of blues rock with the down to earth reflection of the back porch."
"My style of playing surely didn't happen over night,"she continues, "and its difficult for me to begin to explain how I actually do it sometimes, but its a mixture of ragtime, slide and bluegrass with loads of lead licks kickin, in all at the same time, which means im playing two time signatures simultanieously. I have bass lines going on while my percussive beat in slappin the strings. "..............
Bex Marshall's catchy numbers, allied to her silky playing and earthy singing style, has helped make her a fixture on the burgeoning British blues club and festival circuit. Last year she won over American Audiences at the prestigious Folk Alliance in Memphis. Australia, one strongly suspects, will also succumb to her charm and charisma......
For Full interview see www.bexmarshall.co.uk
- Rythms Magazine

British blonds and buxom, Bex Marshall doen''t exactly conform to the profile of the archetypal blues performer. Not that she's ever aspired to that. Marshall might shoot from the hip, but she's never aimed straight and narrow. By her own admission, England's answer to Bonnie Raitt is primarily interested in pushing the boundaries of the blues.
"There's not too many female players doin' what I'm doin' thats for sure,' she declares. "I like the idea of mixing things up. I'm a guitar picker who enjoys the different styles of playing. It's wonderful way to expose raw blues in a finger style that has the full flavour of blues rock with the down to earth reflection of the back porch."
"My style of playing surely didn't happen over night,"she continues, "and its difficult for me to begin to explain how I actually do it sometimes, but its a mixture of ragtime, slide and bluegrass with loads of lead licks kickin, in all at the same time, which means im playing two time signatures simultanieously. I have bass lines going on while my percussive beat in slappin the strings. "..............
Bex Marshall's catchy numbers, allied to her silky playing and earthy singing style, has helped make her a fixture on the burgeoning British blues club and festival circuit. Last year she won over American Audiences at the prestigious Folk Alliance in Memphis. Australia, one strongly suspects, will also succumb to her charm and charisma......
For Full interview see www.bexmarshall.co.uk
- Rythms Magazine

British blonds and buxom, Bex Marshall doen''t exactly conform to the profile of the archetypal blues performer. Not that she's ever aspired to that. Marshall might shoot from the hip, but she's never aimed straight and narrow. By her own admission, England's answer to Bonnie Raitt is primarily interested in pushing the boundaries of the blues.
"There's not too many female players doin' what I'm doin' thats for sure,' she declares. "I like the idea of mixing things up. I'm a guitar picker who enjoys the different styles of playing. It's wonderful way to expose raw blues in a finger style that has the full flavour of blues rock with the down to earth reflection of the back porch."
"My style of playing surely didn't happen over night,"she continues, "and its difficult for me to begin to explain how I actually do it sometimes, but its a mixture of ragtime, slide and bluegrass with loads of lead licks kickin, in all at the same time, which means im playing two time signatures simultanieously. I have bass lines going on while my percussive beat in slappin the strings. "..............
Bex Marshall's catchy numbers, allied to her silky playing and earthy singing style, has helped make her a fixture on the burgeoning British blues club and festival circuit. Last year she won over American Audiences at the prestigious Folk Alliance in Memphis. Australia, one strongly suspects, will also succumb to her charm and charisma......
For Full interview see www.bexmarshall.co.uk
- Rythms Magazine

KITCHEN TABLE GETS INTO USA ROOTS ROCK TOP 50 CHART
Category: Music

Generated on: Friday 12th December 2008 01:27:41 PM
TW LW Artist: CD Title: Label: Weeks On: Location:
1 1 RYAN ADAMS AND THE CARDINALS CARDINOLOGY LOST HIGHWAY 9
2 2 RECKLESS KELLY BULLETPROOF YEP ROC 28 TX
3 3 LUCINDA WILLIAMS LITTLE HONEY LOST HIGHWAY 17 CA
4 4 BOW THAYER BOW THAYER AND PERFECT TRAINWRECK SELF 13
5 17 DAVE ALVIN THE BEST OF THE HIGHTONE YEARS SHOUT! FACTORY 5 CA
6 5 LOS LONELY BOYS FORGIVIN EPIC 28 TX
7 6 BOB DYLAN TELL-TALE SIGNS - RARE & UNRELEASED 1989-2006 COLUMBIA / LEGACY 10
8 8 TEJAS BROTHERS TEJAS BROTHERS SMITH ENTERTAINMENT 6 TX
9 7 JACKIE GREENE GIVING UP THE GHOST 429 RECORDS 40 CA
10 9 CALEXICO CARRIED TO DUST QUARTERSTICK 13 AZ
11 10 MUDCRUTCH MUDCRUTCH REPRISE 32 CA
12 11 PRETENDERS BREAK UP THE CONCRETE SHANGRI-LA 11 MIXED
13 13 SWINDLES DRUNK FOR YOUR AMUSEMENT SELF RELEASE 4 TX
14 23 WILL QUINLAN NAVASOTA IRONWEED MUSIC 3
15 12 OLD 97'S BLAME IT ON GRAVITY NEW WEST 35 TX
16 15 BLUE MOUNTAIN MIDNIGHT IN MISSISSIPPI BROADMOOR 15 MS
17 0 BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN WORKING ON A DREAM COLUMBIA RECORDS 2
18 0 JOHN KAY & SPARROW BEST OF LEGACY 111
19 0 JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE ELECTRIC LADYLAND - DELUXE CD/DVD COLLECTOR'S EDITION EXPERIENCE HENDRIX/UME 1
20 0 CROSBY, STILLS, NASH, AND YOUNG 4-WAY STREET ATLANTIC / RHINO 1
21 0 SUBDUDES LIVE & ACOUSTIC - DVD BIOGRAPHICA 1
22 21 STEVE WINWOOD NINE LIVES COLUMBIA 43 UK
23 22 GIANT SAND PROVISIONS YEP ROC 14 AZ
24 16 JOLIE HOLLAND THE LIVING AND THE DEAD ANTI 9
25 30 KATE GAFFNEY THE COACHMAN DIG 11 CA
26 24 JAY NASH THE THINGS YOU THINK YOU NEED INDIE 9
27 25 SHARON LITTLE PERFECT TIME FOR A BREAKDOWN CBS RECORDS 8
28 31 JAMES MCMURTRY JUST US KIDS LIGHTNING ROD 39 TX
29 27 MY MORNING JACKET EVIL URGES ATO 25 KY
30 28 DONAVON FRANKENREITER PASS IT AROUND LOST HIGHWAY 25 CA
31 29 LITTLE FEAT AND FRIENDS JOIN THE BAND 429 21 CA
32 32 NELO NELO JUSTICE 38 TX
33 26 THE MOTHER TRUCKERS LET'S ALL GO TO BED FUNZALO 33 TX
34 33 SOLOMON BURKE LIKE A FIRE SHOUT FACTORY 28 CA
35 35 TEDDY THOMPSON A PIECE OF WHAT YOU NEED VERVE 29 NY/UK
36 38 ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO REAL ANIMAL BACK PORCH 29 TX
37 36 RANDALL BRAMBLETT NOW IT'S TOMORROW NEW WEST 25 GA
38 37 JACK JOHNSON SLEEP THROUGH THE STATIC BRUSH FIRE 44 HI
39 0 TEXAS MEAT PURVEYORS COME AND TAKE IT GRAVY QUEEN 1 TX
40 39 VAN MORRISON KEEP IT SIMPLE LOST HIGHWAY 43 UK
41 40 FRANK CARILLO & THE BANDOLEROS SOMEDAY JEZEBEL 37 NY
42 41 MIKE ZITO BLINDED ELECTO GROOVE 34 TX
43 42 RAY LAMONTAGNE GOSSIP IN THE GRAIN RCA 9 NH
44 43 TWO COW GARAGE SPEAKING IN CURSIVES SUBURBAN HOME 4 CA
45 44 RUSSELL SMITH & AMAZING RHYTHEM ACES MIDNIGHT COMMUINION SUNSHINE MARKETING 54 TN
46 45 CAROLYN WONDERLAND MISS UNDERSTOOD BISMEAUX 46 TX
47 46 ELVIS COSTELLO / THE IMPOSTERS MOMOFUKU UMG 32 UK
48 47 JOHN BUTLER TRIO GRAND NATIONAL JARRAH 89 AUSTRALIA
49 48 PAUL THORN LONG WAY FROM TUPELO PERPETUAL OBS 47 MS
50 0 BEX MARSHALL KITCHEN TABLE HOUSE OF MERCY 1 UK
- Dec 08

KITCHEN TABLE GETS INTO USA ROOTS ROCK TOP 50 CHART
Category: Music

Generated on: Friday 12th December 2008 01:27:41 PM
TW LW Artist: CD Title: Label: Weeks On: Location:
1 1 RYAN ADAMS AND THE CARDINALS CARDINOLOGY LOST HIGHWAY 9
2 2 RECKLESS KELLY BULLETPROOF YEP ROC 28 TX
3 3 LUCINDA WILLIAMS LITTLE HONEY LOST HIGHWAY 17 CA
4 4 BOW THAYER BOW THAYER AND PERFECT TRAINWRECK SELF 13
5 17 DAVE ALVIN THE BEST OF THE HIGHTONE YEARS SHOUT! FACTORY 5 CA
6 5 LOS LONELY BOYS FORGIVIN EPIC 28 TX
7 6 BOB DYLAN TELL-TALE SIGNS - RARE & UNRELEASED 1989-2006 COLUMBIA / LEGACY 10
8 8 TEJAS BROTHERS TEJAS BROTHERS SMITH ENTERTAINMENT 6 TX
9 7 JACKIE GREENE GIVING UP THE GHOST 429 RECORDS 40 CA
10 9 CALEXICO CARRIED TO DUST QUARTERSTICK 13 AZ
11 10 MUDCRUTCH MUDCRUTCH REPRISE 32 CA
12 11 PRETENDERS BREAK UP THE CONCRETE SHANGRI-LA 11 MIXED
13 13 SWINDLES DRUNK FOR YOUR AMUSEMENT SELF RELEASE 4 TX
14 23 WILL QUINLAN NAVASOTA IRONWEED MUSIC 3
15 12 OLD 97'S BLAME IT ON GRAVITY NEW WEST 35 TX
16 15 BLUE MOUNTAIN MIDNIGHT IN MISSISSIPPI BROADMOOR 15 MS
17 0 BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN WORKING ON A DREAM COLUMBIA RECORDS 2
18 0 JOHN KAY & SPARROW BEST OF LEGACY 111
19 0 JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE ELECTRIC LADYLAND - DELUXE CD/DVD COLLECTOR'S EDITION EXPERIENCE HENDRIX/UME 1
20 0 CROSBY, STILLS, NASH, AND YOUNG 4-WAY STREET ATLANTIC / RHINO 1
21 0 SUBDUDES LIVE & ACOUSTIC - DVD BIOGRAPHICA 1
22 21 STEVE WINWOOD NINE LIVES COLUMBIA 43 UK
23 22 GIANT SAND PROVISIONS YEP ROC 14 AZ
24 16 JOLIE HOLLAND THE LIVING AND THE DEAD ANTI 9
25 30 KATE GAFFNEY THE COACHMAN DIG 11 CA
26 24 JAY NASH THE THINGS YOU THINK YOU NEED INDIE 9
27 25 SHARON LITTLE PERFECT TIME FOR A BREAKDOWN CBS RECORDS 8
28 31 JAMES MCMURTRY JUST US KIDS LIGHTNING ROD 39 TX
29 27 MY MORNING JACKET EVIL URGES ATO 25 KY
30 28 DONAVON FRANKENREITER PASS IT AROUND LOST HIGHWAY 25 CA
31 29 LITTLE FEAT AND FRIENDS JOIN THE BAND 429 21 CA
32 32 NELO NELO JUSTICE 38 TX
33 26 THE MOTHER TRUCKERS LET'S ALL GO TO BED FUNZALO 33 TX
34 33 SOLOMON BURKE LIKE A FIRE SHOUT FACTORY 28 CA
35 35 TEDDY THOMPSON A PIECE OF WHAT YOU NEED VERVE 29 NY/UK
36 38 ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO REAL ANIMAL BACK PORCH 29 TX
37 36 RANDALL BRAMBLETT NOW IT'S TOMORROW NEW WEST 25 GA
38 37 JACK JOHNSON SLEEP THROUGH THE STATIC BRUSH FIRE 44 HI
39 0 TEXAS MEAT PURVEYORS COME AND TAKE IT GRAVY QUEEN 1 TX
40 39 VAN MORRISON KEEP IT SIMPLE LOST HIGHWAY 43 UK
41 40 FRANK CARILLO & THE BANDOLEROS SOMEDAY JEZEBEL 37 NY
42 41 MIKE ZITO BLINDED ELECTO GROOVE 34 TX
43 42 RAY LAMONTAGNE GOSSIP IN THE GRAIN RCA 9 NH
44 43 TWO COW GARAGE SPEAKING IN CURSIVES SUBURBAN HOME 4 CA
45 44 RUSSELL SMITH & AMAZING RHYTHEM ACES MIDNIGHT COMMUINION SUNSHINE MARKETING 54 TN
46 45 CAROLYN WONDERLAND MISS UNDERSTOOD BISMEAUX 46 TX
47 46 ELVIS COSTELLO / THE IMPOSTERS MOMOFUKU UMG 32 UK
48 47 JOHN BUTLER TRIO GRAND NATIONAL JARRAH 89 AUSTRALIA
49 48 PAUL THORN LONG WAY FROM TUPELO PERPETUAL OBS 47 MS
50 0 BEX MARSHALL KITCHEN TABLE HOUSE OF MERCY 1 UK
- Dec 08

“..........She often performs solo, just her and her
guitar — no gimmicks. With Kitchen Table, her second
and first U.S. release, she does a wonderful job of bringing
the emotional empathy of her live shows to an album.
That raw and real connection she creates between
herself and an audience is electric.
You can feel the pain or the joy of every note.,,,,,,
Kitchen Table is the kind of timeless album
that will be played many years. ”

HOOPLA Review Brent Conley USA - Brent Conley USA

“..........She often performs solo, just her and her
guitar — no gimmicks. With Kitchen Table, her second
and first U.S. release, she does a wonderful job of bringing
the emotional empathy of her live shows to an album.
That raw and real connection she creates between
herself and an audience is electric.
You can feel the pain or the joy of every note.,,,,,,
Kitchen Table is the kind of timeless album
that will be played many years. ”

HOOPLA Review Brent Conley USA - Brent Conley USA

This is a fine, rootsy and generally very bluesy set from young singer and guitarist (usually a resonator guitar) Bex Marshall – and it isn't every album that comes complete with a recipe to counteract the munchies! The accompaniments on the ten all-original numbers on this album range from solo items to out-and-out rock band, and the material is similarly varied in approach, from a gentle singer-songwriter styled 'Here Is My Heart' (with the lines 'I feel like an actress in a real life TV show' – which is in fact autobiographical, and indeed the album title and that recipe mentioned earlier reflect her culinary skills, so I'm told) to a powerful, driving rocker like 'Hot Headed Man'. 'Red Light' is a straightforward blues and the slightly soul-inflected 'Little Bird' would be one for radio play if the radio played decent music any more. Occasionally there is also a hint of Ry Cooder and definitely 'Americana', particularly when special guests Don Wayne Reno and/ or Dale Reno from The Hayseed Dixies are involved.
Bex has a strong, gritty voice somewhat akin to
Tina Turner, Janis Joplin or Joan Armatrading,
and her songs are equally intelligent and interesting.
She plays all the guitars on this set –
from the deep, Delta drone
of 'Too Much Rock & Roll' to the occasional
hint of heavy psychedelia.
Definitely a name to watch for –
but while you're waiting, do take a listen to this CD.”

Art Blues Review.(Austria) Norman Dawen - Norman Dawen

The American roots of Britain's Bex Marshall

I've got to tell you today about a less-than-new album by an artist whose name you may have never heard, hoping that you'll want to hear her fine musical self.

British singer-songwriter-guitarist Bex Marshall isn't exactly a blues artist in the traditional sense, but like a lot of other Brits before her (who were ofen hip to the American blues scene before we were), she's taken American roots and blues and country music and blended it into an elegant emotional exploration.

She uses her considerable songwriting skills, her even more considerable acoustic resonator skills (a slide on her little finger), and adds them to gravelly vocals that combine folk, country and blues with a little rock, into an extremely personal and powerful music.

He latest album, 'Kitchen Table,' from the British House of Mercy label, is filled with this kind of music. It's thoughtful wordplay, understated vocal passion and expressive guitar work fit together in a little gem of an album. Each song is her own, all filled with the power and the spirit of the music she obviously loves.

All of this came to my attention recently through the efforts of Howlin' Wuelf Media in New York, which passed on information that Marshall is about to embark on her first U.S. tour, hitting about a dozen cities across the country. Alas, the closest she gets to Pittsburgh is Phoenixville, Pa., and Washington, D.C., next week. That's too bad. She'd be a perfect fit in an intimate spot like Club Cafe on the South Side.

She hasn't been recording a long time, in the grand scheme of things, as her early years seemed to have been spent wandering Europe as a croupier with a guitar strapped to her back. But in the past decade, she's flourished, at least on the other side of the pond. We're about to give her some attention here, where roots music is actually rooted. Let's hope she catches on, and spends some more time here. Meanwhile, check out the album. She's being compared, in different ways, to Bonnie Raitt, Janis Joplin and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

I just think she's done a great job of rolling a lot of musical influences into her own unique package. - by Jim White

This is a fine, rootsy and generally very bluesy set from young singer and guitarist (usually a resonator guitar) Bex Marshall – and it isn't every album that comes complete with a recipe to counteract the munchies! The accompaniments on the ten all-original numbers on this album range from solo items to out-and-out rock band, and the material is similarly varied in approach, from a gentle singer-songwriter styled 'Here Is My Heart' (with the lines 'I feel like an actress in a real life TV show' – which is in fact autobiographical, and indeed the album title and that recipe mentioned earlier reflect her culinary skills, so I'm told) to a powerful, driving rocker like 'Hot Headed Man'. 'Red Light' is a straightforward blues and the slightly soul-inflected 'Little Bird' would be one for radio play if the radio played decent music any more. Occasionally there is also a hint of Ry Cooder and definitely 'Americana', particularly when special guests Don Wayne Reno and/ or Dale Reno from The Hayseed Dixies are involved.
Bex has a strong, gritty voice somewhat akin to
Tina Turner, Janis Joplin or Joan Armatrading,
and her songs are equally intelligent and interesting.
She plays all the guitars on this set –
from the deep, Delta drone
of 'Too Much Rock & Roll' to the occasional
hint of heavy psychedelia.
Definitely a name to watch for –
but while you're waiting, do take a listen to this CD.”

Art Blues Review.(Austria) Norman Dawen - Norman Dawen

Bex Marshall
Kitchen Table
House Of Mercy Records
****


In the UK there are not too many female performers that possess the magic three attributes, a great singer, a great songwriter and a great guitarist. Bex Marshall scores three out of three, her debut album BOOTLACE received critical acclaim, but with KITCHEN TABLE Bex has surpassed all expectations. Ten original compositions beginning with the fine roots rocker and title track Kitchen Table, a deep down and dirty delta blues about the place the good old fashioned kitchen table holds in everyday family life. The song displays lyrical mastery, wonderful resonator guitar and a whisky soaked vocal delivery reminiscent of the late great Janis Joplin or indeed Maggie Bell. Just try and stop your feet tapping away to this great opener. The pace slows down with Red Light, just Bex and her guitar on this track, a slow blues showing just how good a guitar picker she is, acoustic or electric Bex is a fine example to any young aspiring female guitarist, this is how it should be done. If the similar sounding Duffy can be so widely accepted, there is no reason why Bex Marshall cannot join her as one of the UK's leading female singer songwriters, having the added bonus of being a superb guitarist with a style all her own. Stand out track for me is the superb Little Bird, this is one of those tracks that just stays in your head, it flows so well you almost think that you have heard it before somewhere, but no, this is the song's first outing, showcasing fine electric lead and a chorus that you will be humming all day. The more I hear Bex vocal I really cannot understand why we have not heard more from this wonderful artist, this could well change with the release of this fine album. Mention must also be made of some very special guests who appear on several tracks, Don and Dale Reno from leading exponents of heavy bluegrass Hayseed Dixie, their fast paced picking shown to full effect on Hot Headed Man, and one of my favourite UK musicians and producers Simon J Alpin, who co-produced the album with Bex and plays a mean mandolin on Head In The Clouds. Having said that, who really shines on this album is Bex Marshall herself, mix the voice of Joplin and the guitar Stevie Ray and you get a winning combination. The live experience would be stunning; both in the large festival arena or an intimate small show, the effect would still be the same. From the information that accompanied KITCHEN TABLE Bex will be touring the UK in the summer to promote this superb release, definitely a show not to be missed and certainly an album to add to your collection.



- JHS

Those canny folk at Ark sure know what to tempt this site with - songstress Marshall has come up with a set of own compositions and a strident ap proach to singing and playing various guitars including resonators and slide outings using open A and G. A worn voice coming from a freshfaced female is intriguing..wimpy this artist is not.

Originally from Devon and now London based, talespinner Bex spent time moving around the world as a gambling croupier and back per busking – throw in a mixed social strata background and maybe we can understand how she's found her way to the blues. Her uncles played so Bex luckily saw live shows from an early age. That's all it takes, i assure you…..

There is a hint of the Waterson/Carthy about her calm and knowing visage but this material is far from Anglo folk, it's soiled and soaked in American bar and field influences. Playing insistently but not scrubbing chords to death, there is an edgy attack to Marshall's playing. She's a few decades late to open shows for Rory G but more than a few times there's a touch of the Irish genius' style about these songs and their delivery. Always her vocal is pitched at the right tone and no aping of the mighty Raitt or Block, that's a plus..

So she can sing and play, what are the songs like ? 'Red Light' is subdued anger and 'Black Guitar' a slide lament in no hurry to make its impact. 'Stand Up' sounds like a duet for Bex and Tony Joe White…hope he hears it ! TJW's daughter made a great solo record which he told me about last time we spoke and yes, he'd dig 'Kitchen Table'. 'Little Bird' has an overfamiliar chord progression but the rockin' 'Bad Bad Girl' finds Bex at her most comfortable as a runaway story unfolds, nice falsetto touches.

Conclusion : it ain't just Anne McCue that is spinning her own take from roots origins

- Pete Sargeant/.fairhearing.co.uk

A West Country girl with a mix of Devonian and Irish blood, Marshall's guitar work's been compared to that of Stevie Ray Vaughan. That may be overstating things, but she certainly knows how to pick her way round a bluesy slide fretboard. Trading in swampy blues and country rock, her whisky-stripped husky vocals most readily call to mind Janis Joplin and you could easily imagine the legend herself steaming up some bar, slinking her way through the 12 bar blues Red Light or the gutsy blues gospel Stand Up.

The rolling rhythms and guitar picking of Kitchen Table suggest JJ Cale plays a considerable part in Marshall's influences while slow burn Black Guitar suggests what might be the result of teaming Bonnie Raitt and Led Zep and letting them jam in an everglades moonshine joint. As a writer, the likes of Little Bird and Here Is My Heart are proof that she's mastered the art of making new material sound like it's been found in long forgotten vaults and the presence of Hayseed Dixie's Don and Dale Reno supplying banjo and mandolin various tracks show she's impressing the right people too. You should be among them.

www.myspace.com/bexmarshall

- Mike Davies June 2008

Nashville Scene – Preview w/photo by “A hard-touring, blues-loving Londoner with a voice that suggests a rock version of Esther Phillips’ sardonic rasp, Bex Marshall writes concise songs and embellishes them with intelligent, folkish guitar. Her latest full-length, Kitchen Table, measures out its groove and plays like relaxed conversation, complete with jokes, asides and perfectly turned licks. ‘Bad Bad Girl’ is a plainspoken tale of teenage rebellion that manages to sound sexy and nostalgic, while ‘Hot Headed Man’ makes blues out of mandolin, banjo and violin. Released this spring in England, Kitchen Table was picked up by an American distributor after Marshall won over audiences at Memphis’ prestigious Folk Alliance earlier in the year. She’s a fine guitarist with a silken touch, as the sublime ‘Black Guitar’ demonstrates.”
http://www.nashvillescene.com/events/the-subdudes-w-bex-marshall-105312/ - Edd Hurt in 11/13 issue.

Bex Marshall: Kitchen Table (House Of Mercy 001; 38:28) ***1/2 A formercroupier with Irish Gypsys in her family tree, Marshall makes memorablemusic that patrols the transgenre zone where blues, folk, and rockmingle. Just two albums into her career, the young Londoner showcasesan outstanding singing voice--her prowess includes sure phrasing andclear enunciation--and a well-handled acoustic steel-top resonatorguitar on substantial self-penned tunes laden with moments of awe,urgency, or reflection. The tension she builds in the modern blues“Black Guitar” culminates in a slide guitar clamor Derek Trucks would be pleased to call his own. - By Frank-John Hadley

CHECK THIS!!

AMERICANA MUSIC ASSOCIATION CHARTS
1 Andrew Bird Noble Beast

2 Bruce Springsteen Working On A Dream

3 Ben Kweller Changing Horses

4 Rodney Crowell Sex and Gasoline

5 Kristin Scott Benson Second Season

6 Special Concensus Signs

7 Raul Malo Lucky One

8 Pretenders Break Up The Concrete

9 Lonesome River Band No Turning Back

10 Iguanas If You Should Ever Fall On Hard Times

11 Charlie Haden Family & Friends Rambling Boy

12 Derailers Guaranteed to Satisfy

13 Winterpills Central Chambers

14 Starline Rhythm Boys Live At Charlie O’s World Famous

15 Bob Dylan Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series Vol. 8

16 Eliza Gilkyson Beautiful World

17 Emmylou Harris All I Intended To Be

18 Hal Ketchum Father Time

19 Chris Stuart & Back Country Crooked Man

20 Bex Marshall Kitchen Table

21 Neil Young Sugar Mountain - Live At Canterbury House 1968

22 Martin Sexton Solo

23 Dave Alvin The Best of the Hightone Years

24 Pete Seeger At 89

25 Lost Bayou Ramblers Vermillionaire

26 Hank Williams The Unreleased Recordings

27 Jon Jackson Green Apples

28 Pierce Pettis That Kind Of Love

29 Jorma Kaukonen River Of Time

30 Nothin Fancy Lord Bless This House

31 Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit - http://kdhx.org/blog/2009/02/05/kdhx-charts-for-020309/

CHECK THIS!!

AMERICANA MUSIC ASSOCIATION CHARTS
1 Andrew Bird Noble Beast

2 Bruce Springsteen Working On A Dream

3 Ben Kweller Changing Horses

4 Rodney Crowell Sex and Gasoline

5 Kristin Scott Benson Second Season

6 Special Concensus Signs

7 Raul Malo Lucky One

8 Pretenders Break Up The Concrete

9 Lonesome River Band No Turning Back

10 Iguanas If You Should Ever Fall On Hard Times

11 Charlie Haden Family & Friends Rambling Boy

12 Derailers Guaranteed to Satisfy

13 Winterpills Central Chambers

14 Starline Rhythm Boys Live At Charlie O’s World Famous

15 Bob Dylan Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series Vol. 8

16 Eliza Gilkyson Beautiful World

17 Emmylou Harris All I Intended To Be

18 Hal Ketchum Father Time

19 Chris Stuart & Back Country Crooked Man

20 Bex Marshall Kitchen Table

21 Neil Young Sugar Mountain - Live At Canterbury House 1968

22 Martin Sexton Solo

23 Dave Alvin The Best of the Hightone Years

24 Pete Seeger At 89

25 Lost Bayou Ramblers Vermillionaire

26 Hank Williams The Unreleased Recordings

27 Jon Jackson Green Apples

28 Pierce Pettis That Kind Of Love

29 Jorma Kaukonen River Of Time

30 Nothin Fancy Lord Bless This House

31 Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit - http://kdhx.org/blog/2009/02/05/kdhx-charts-for-020309/