Album review: WILLE AND THE BANDITS – Salt Roots

February 23rd, 2026 by jason

Website [Release date 27.02.26]

This latest album from Wille and the Bandits sees main man William ‘Wille’ Edwards and his band reaching new heights of epic story telling brilliance. Salt Roots is, in many ways, a homage to Cornwall, Edwards’ county of birth, and displays the bands unique musical style, drawing influences from across the musical spectrum and melding them into something quite different, let’s call it, ‘Cornish Surfer Blues Rock’. Now obviously I’ve just made that genre up but, it’s as good a way as any to describe their unique take on rock ‘n’ roll.

That sound, that glorious music, is the result of a perfectly matched group of musicians. Currently a four piece, the band has gone through a number of line up changes over the years with guitarist ‘Wille’ the only remaining original member, here joined by Harry Mackaill on bass, the master of the Hammond organ, Steve Watts on keys and, in the studio it’s Joe Harris on drums (with Zach O’Loughlin taking over the drum stool on the road). All songs are written by Edwards with long time collaborator Josiah Manning, the two men also co-producing the album.

Edwards, possessor of a gravelly, expressive voice and a lap steel virtuoso is fiercely proud of his Kernow heritage and that is abundantly clear in the subject matter presented here, no more so than in opening track, ‘Wheal Jane’. A brooding, repetitive industrial riff underscoring the impassioned vocals as Edwards tells the story of working a tin mine from a miner’s perspective.

‘Trouble Round The Bend’ rails against the pollution in our rivers and seas, particular the uncontrolled release of raw sewage and the environmental impact that results. As a keen surfer one suspects Wille has had too many close encounters of the unpleasant kind!

‘King Kong’ is the closest we get to a standard, four to the floor, rock track with a blistering guitar solo to boot.

‘Style Thing’ showcases the considerable talents of Steve Watts on keys and possesses one of those funky, infectious, Latin rhythms that you simply have to tap your feet and swing your hips to, while ‘Take My Shoulder’ brings a more laid back sound reminiscent, both vocally and musically of John Mayer at his smoothest.

‘Know My Name’, featuring Dobro guitar and a Southern style stomp is followed by the atmospheric ‘Sail Away (Mayflower)’ an emotional tail of a husband’s parting from his wife ahead of the Pilgrim’s voyage to the Americas, imploring in the lyric, ‘will you hold my son, will you give him my name?’

‘Stand Up’. Another short but punchy track, crunching guitar riffs over Watts’ Hammond, Wille’s trademark lap steel guitar and a blues rap vocal excursion.

‘Reina Del Mar’, the Latin rhythms are back to underpin this musical nod to the groove of Santana and one of Wille’s vocal highlights on the album.

The final track, fittingly, is ‘Homeward Bound’. The theme here will be recognised by many but, especially working musicians as they head home after a gig, via the motorway services and a takeaway coffee, to family and, in Wille’s case, Cornwall and the sea. With a clear nod to Dire Straits in the musical phrasing, this is a perfect end to a terrific album.

The Bandits have a well deserved reputation as an outstanding live band and, personally, I cannot wait to hear these songs on the road. But if you can’t make a gig on their upcoming tour, pick up Salt Roots and indulge in some ‘Cornish Surfer Blues Rock’ I reckon you’ll love it! ****

Review by Neil Pudney

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

Upcoming sessions:

March 8
April 12

Josh Taerk - Sunday Session - 8 March 2026

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 1 February 2026.

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). First broadcast on 3 February 2026

How to Listen Live?

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

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 live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 16 February 2026

THE ANCIENT UNKNOWN Separated (indie)
LIZZIE REID Sweet Relief (indie)
THE HARBOURS Wide Awake (indie)
ARGOVIA Ebb & Flow (Presagio Records)
XO SOUNDTRACK Talk About Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 9 February 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.