Ruf Records 1188 [Released Jan 2013]

Forbidden Fruit’ finds Finnish slide guitarist Erja Lyytinen taking the blues into the new territories, by delving into the personal realm to explore previously untapped musical ambitions. From the deeply felt lyrics and well crafted songs to the emotional input of her solos and expansive band harmonies, ‘Forbidden Fruit’ embodies the essence of everything we identify as the blues.

The lead track ‘Joyful Misery’ for example, is a superb co-write with Bonnie Raitt song writer Alan Darby. It has a lovely understated groove and a catchy melody, with great harmonies, a strong hook and an aching solo. It’s also a very radio friendly song as befits most of the album.

‘Forbidden Fruit’ is a multi layered affair. Peel away a layer and you will find another rich seam of lyrical meaning and intricate guitar parts. The heart felt lyrics, deep guitar tones and sonic textures are all glued together by Erja own natural vivacity.

‘Forbidden Fruit’ may not have the immediacy of some of her previous albums, but on this CD she draws from a deeper well, infusing old blues traditions – the art of story telling and sexual double entendre’s – with contemporary musical values and guitar solo’s that evoke lyrical meaning.

For every well crafted turn of phrase there’s an intricate guitar part to match, ranging from co-producer Davide Floreno’s tremolo guitar figure on ‘Joyful Misery’ to the slide-led, wall of sound on ‘Jealousy’. The radical arrangement and unusual chord structure of ‘Death Letter’ re-invigorate the blues standard and helps integrate it into the albums sequential flow. The Lyytinen/Floreno co-write ‘Change Of Season’ is a also a lovely ballad with a smouldering arrangement,  resonant solo and one of Erja’s very best vocal performances.

The poignant ‘Joyful Misery’ is inspired by a 50 year relationship between her uncle and aunt, while the title track pulls no lyrical punches;- ‘A flower in  blossom attracts all kind of bees’  – before she belatedly offers us a cathartic release with Lil Johnson’s ‘Press My Button’.

‘Forbidden Fruit’ avoids the usual clichés and as a result might be considered a slow burner, but the songs are rooted in real substance and the playing is a delight. Contemporary blues never sounded more essential.

Rating: **** (4/5) 

Review by Pete Feenstra

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Latest session: Sunday 14 April

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)

To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account

Tweets by Get Ready to ROCK!

Popular (last 10 days)

Album review: QUINN SULLIVAN – Salvation

Album review: LEE AARON – Tattoo Me

Feature: Rock: Rewired – STEVE MARRIOTT Part 2 (Peter Frampton interview)

Feature: Rock: Rewired – STEVE MARRIOTT (Part 1)

Album review: 25 YARD SCREAMER – The Memory Cheats (The Pictures Within 2023)

PDF - you can delete unwanted sections