Music Review: Selwyn Birchwood, Pick your Poison

Selwyn Birchwood

Aged just 32, Selwyn Birchwood is one of blues music's young guns. What's more, he brings a varied and compelling voice to the table from his native Florida.

Discovered by Alligator Records head honcho Bruce Iglauer after Birchwood won the International Blues Challenge as well as the Albert King guitarist of the year gong in 2013, he's been on a fast track to becoming a leading light in modern blues.

Selwyn Birchwood's prowess as a searing blues-rock guitarist or an equally intense approach to lap steel playing is matched by both his vocals and the unique lyrical settings he creates.

Birchwood was just 13 when he first picked up a guitar and by 17 he was knee deep in the music of Albert & Freddie King, Muddy Waters, Albert Collins, Lightnin' Hopkins and particularly Chicago's finest Buddy Guy.

Pick your Poison is Selwyn Birchwood's follow-up to his Alligator 2014 debut Don't Call No Ambulance and is another step forward in cementing his place at the head of the contemporary blues market.

His no-holds-barred approach playing live with his band is brilliantly carried through to the studio.

The most noticeable factor is his ability to deliver different forms of the blues genre so there's no chance of considering Birchwood to be a one trick pony.

Many of the tracks feature a classy brass section, some of them are full-on high octane workouts, others have a gospel feel, and then there's the intensity that his lap steel playing brings to the table. The band's non-stop touring schedule has paid huge dividends.

If you want to discover where the blues is at in 2017 Selwyn Birchwood's Pick Your Poison has to be your starting point.Tony Nielsen