· BUY MP3 DOWNLOADS FROM OUR DIGITAL PARTNERS ·

BLINDSTONE "karma factory" (GYR091)

BLINDSTONE "Manifesto" (GYR044)

BLINDSTONE "Freedom's Calling" (GYR043)

BLINDSTONE "Rise Above" (GYR061)

BLINDSTONE "7TH CYCLE.." (GYR151)

Blindstone "Live In Denmark" (GYR133)

BLINDSTONE "Rare Tracks" (GYR092)

Martin J Andersen "6 String Renegade" (GYR132)

· VIDEO ·

BLINDSTONE - "BLOOD STREAM"

· reviews ·

If there's one thing that a new album from Danish master blasters Blindstone ensures, it's blues. But then they also guarantee grooves. You can also rest assured that they'll provide authenticity and while we're at it you will never have any doubt that everything from Blindstone will be jammed packed with riff fuelled, fret burning guitar mastery. The band's eighth album is a prime selection of tasty covers all wrapped in Blindstone goodness that positively drips with heavy blues flavours and feeds the most voracious of appetites.

Cleverly, the uninitiated might not even suspect Blues-o-delic Celebration is a covers album at all. Yes, it concludes with a lengthy reworking of Jimi Hendrix's 'Hey Joe' that's slowed down and presented as a near lament. That apart the rest of these tracks, which ebulliently pay homage to ZZ Top, Leslie West, Rocky Hill, Guitar Shorty, The Gales Brothers, Shuggie Ottis and Peter Green mostly avoid the expected selections, choosing instead to shine a light on some less celebrated but equally exciting cuts. On top of that, the three Kings are also covered, BB, Freddie and Albert – blues royalty indeed – and here they are paid the respect that monarchy are due. "Rock Me Baby" by BB King suddenly becomes a bullish blues bruiser but there's a tender side at its heart, while Freddie King's "Pack It Up" is a proud strutting pound of riffology and classy vocals; the man providing both being Martin J Andersen, his gritty bark just as effective as his six string bite. "Finger On The Trigger" illustrates just how stunningly the man reinterprets Albert King, this new version, as all the tracks here are, reverential but never afraid to add an individual flavour that makes these old masters sound fresh and new.

From the other tracks Blindstoned, ZZ Top's fiery Bar-B-Q is lip-smacking rich in its flavours, while "The Blues Come Over Me", also originally by BB King, shines a light on a more reserved and easy side of the band covering it. With bassist Jesper Bunk and drummer Sigurd Jøhnk-Jensen as assured in this setting as they are kicking out the jams, the grooves really do dig in deep and keep you captivated for hours on end. At the risk of simply name checking every song in sight, the rocking roll of "By The River" (Leslie West) has to get a mention, if for nothing else, the fluid solo Andersen so expertly lays down, while "Blood Stream" (Rocky Hill) is one of those classy moments when Blindstone just let loose and give it everything they've got. And you can hear just how much they love doing exactly that, not just here but on each and every song on an album that's simply a howling good time from start to finish.

So really, if there's one thing you know Blindstone will bring to the party it's authentic, riff fuelled, fret burning guitar mastery that's brimming with good times grooves and bullish blues. Blues-o-delic Celebration lives up to that reputation and then some.

Steven Reid / Sea Of Tranquility (January 2018)
 

---

This is already the eighth album of the Danish blues rock trio Blindstone and still this band is not really broken and I think that's incredible! Because this is a band that should appeal to every blues rock fan. A band that produces prodigious blues rock with masterful guitar work by Martin J. Andersen. He is assisted by Jesper Bunk on bass and drummer Sigurd Johnk Jensen. This time the entire album is filled with covers. Covers, which are entirely cast in their own Blindstone style.

A clear example of this is the cover of BB King's Rock Me Baby , which has been turned into a very solid rocker with fiery and above all hard guitar work. The Danish blues rockers are firmly against it with a ZZ Top-like log. The second cover is a less well-known song by a lesser-known artist. Blood Stream is a number from Rocky Hill, brother of ZZ Top's Dusty Hill. A funky blues rock song with excellent funk bass and cutting guitar. Freddie King's Pack It Up gets a pumping funky performance with hard screaming game by Martin J. Andersen. Shuggie Otis, son of Johnny Otis, is best known for his psychedelic soul songs from the seventies. In Danish hands Me And My Woman is suddenly a languid, groovy song with a scorching guitar solo. The sound of Stevie Ray Vaughan is clearly present in the cover of Guitar Shorty's Old School. Somethin's Got A Hold On Me is a slow blues, original from the Gales Brothers. In the performance of Blindstone, the spirit of Jimi Hendrix is.. very noisy. Howlin' Wolf's Built For Comfort, written by Willie Dixon, is almost unrecognizable on this album. t gets a very heavy, almost stoner rock-like version here. By The River is a song by Leslie West and then you know what to expect. A hard rocking, pumping song! ZZ Top's Bar-B-Que sounds lazily grooving with pounding riffs and a screeching guitar solo. Slim Harpo's Finger On The Trigger sounds like a ZZ Top song at Blindstone. Hard and log swinging with relentlessly hard guitar work. The second BB King cover is The Blues Come Over Me. This is where some soul enters the sound of Blindstone through an anonymous organ. In the cover of Buddy Guy's Stone Crazy, a slow blues, it's not just about volume but more about fiery and intense guitar work. Finally, Jimi Hendrix's Hey Joe is over. In this song the father and the son of guitarist Martin J. Andersen can jam on guitar.

Fans of Walter Trout, Joe Bonamassa, ZZ Top, Jeff Healey and other solid blues rockers must purchase this album from Blindstone immediately! These Danes prove that they are masters in the transformation of other people's songs with a loud blues rock sound as a result.

Peter Marinus / Blues Magazine - Netherlands (February 2018)
 

---

Mr. Martin J. Andersen returns to his roots with his power trio Blindstone to give us the thrill of a life time. The Danish three piece rip the roof off with inspired versions of blues classics from B.B. King’s ‘Rock Me Baby’ to Buddy Guy’s ‘Stone Crazy’ and the Hendrix monster ‘Hey Joe’. Having waved the flag for blues-based heavy rock through some seven albums, it’s only right the group finally release a set of standards that inspired them in the first place. To quote the liner notes, “The blues are a crucial part of Blindstone’s DNA…it has influenced us, our heroes and our heroes’ heroes”. Nowhere is that more evident than on ‘Hey Joe’. The Hendrix song featuring Jens Andersen (Martin’s father) and Magnus Andersen (Martin’s son) guesting on guitar. It was the one song each learned to play when first learning the guitar. The very special “three generational” 7-minute track is breath taking as it fuels the imagination of what music ‘is’ for the Andersen family. The word “brilliant” doesn’t do it justice. It must be heard!

Everybody has their favorite blues song, but we guarantee you’ll pick a few new cherries from this tree. Ours were ‘By the River’ from the Leslie West Band (1976) where rhythm section of Jesper Bunk (bass) and Sigurd Johnk-Jensen (drums) locks in on a heavy foundation of bone-crushing beats and sultry groove. The riff is in-your-face, unapologetic and dangerous, exactly the way it should be. Rocky Hill’s ‘Blood Stream’ (found on Texas Shuffle, 1989) is deep cut satisfaction where Andersen captures the pure essence of Rocky (who is the older brother to ZZ Top’s Dusty Hill) guitar prowess. His solo maybe note-for-note to the original, but smolders like molten lava. The real gem is the cover of Guitar Shorty’s ‘Old School’. It is a find just to track the song down but the way Blindstone interprets the side-winding shuffle and the snake-bite solo is exquisite. Freddie King’s Pack It Up’, B.B. King’s ‘The Blues Comes Over Me’ and Albert King’s ‘Finger on The Trigger’ are just a hint at the quality standards this disc offers. Blues-O-Delic Celebration will re-kindle your love of the blues.

Todd K. Smith / The Electric Beard (February 2018)
 

---

Blindstone from Denmark consists of the main songwriter, guitarist and singer Martin Andersen and his congenial rhythm section. A good year ago, the wonderful blues rock album "The Seventh Cycle of Eternity" came out, now the master has given his heroes of the blues a shining monument on a silver disc, the title says it all. Thirteen blues classics by greats like B.B., Freddie and Albert King, Buddy Guy and the bearded ZZ Top have been covered by the Danes with a lot of feeling and groove - blues. And again it's top-notch, there is no other way to describe it. Understandably, the songs are more "traditional blues" than the original compositions of Blindstone, but this is a hearty slab thrown on the grill. As if to prove that, the first title is 'Rock Me Baby' by B.B.King. Fred King's 'Pack It Up' makes you want to move, you just have to move when you hear Andersen's guitar and his wonderful voice!

'Old School' is beautiful earthy, and 'Bar-B-Q' by ZZ Top is especially rifflastig - as is the case with the bearded gentlemen. But there are also softer songs like Willie Dixon's much-interpreted 'Built for Comfort'. Here it becomes clear that Andersen's co-musicians are just as great a class as they are. A bonus of a very special kind is the last track, 'Hey Joe' by Billy Roberts. Andersen has his father Jens and his son Magnus on the guitar for this track - the result is a three-guitar-three-generation jam session - just wonderful! Blindstone easily consolidate their position as one of the best European blues combos with this release. A shame that so few know of the qualities of the Danes.

DanielF / Whiskey Soda - Germany (January 2018)
 

---

The juggernaut blues rock trio from Denmark, Blindstone are back with an intense homage to the Blues legends with, 'Blues-O-Delic Celebration'. The trio is powered by six string Jedi, Martin J. Andersen, bassist Jesper Bunk and on the skins, Sigurd Jøhnk-Jensen with guest guitarists, Magnus & Jens Andersen. As a unit, Blindstone are the epitome of what a well oiled music machine should sound like. They prove that here by serving up 13 smoking Blues classics and giving each song a shot a adrenaline that will make your blood pressure push to overload. The B.B. King penned "Rock Me Baby" opens the album in smoking hot fashion. The trio's supercharged take on this classic is simply mind blowing. The trio keeps the adrenaline pumping as they rip into, "Blood Stream" (Rocky Hill) and a smoking take of the Freddie King penned, "Pack It Up". As I listen, I am simply blown away by Martin J. Andersen. An incredible guitar master, solid vocals makes you sit down, strap in tight and get ready for take off. He plays a mean guitar. Not all guitarists know how to get the mean deep sound out of their six string, Andersen does it with ease. As he exhibits to perfection on smoking tracks like, "Me And My Woman" (Shuggie Otis), "Something's Got A Hold Of Me" (Gales Brothers), "Built For Comfort" (Willie Dixon) and "Finger On The Trigger" (Albert King). All in all a great selection of cover songs. For blues lovers, its a no brainer, 'Blues-O-Delic Celebration' by Blindstone is a must have.

Tony Sison / The Dedicated Rocker Society (December 2017)
 

---

Danish power trio Blindstone has released a bunch of heavy, grinding, riff laden, groove crunchy, swag filed albums. They have also, now and then, flirted a bit with their roots, playing the odd cover. The band’s new effort is a full on “we’re now gonna show you how we do these old blues classics” party. Even though it starts off with B.B. King’s classic “Rock Me Baby”, as suspected perfectly Blindestone-ified, most of the tracks aren’t your usual suspects. “Blood Stream” by Rocky Hill/Townes Van Zant and the power packed and super groovy version of Gonzales/Freddie King’s “Pick It Up”. The rendition of “Me And My Woman” is another one that’s given a kick ass overhaul, just like Guitar Shorty’s “Old School”, which has been given a cool more up-tempo Stevie Ray Vaughn vibe. I was a bit surprised to see a cover of, in relation to the rest of the songs, a relatively new song, “Something’s Got A Hold On Me”, originally by The Gales Bros. If you’re used to hearing UFO’s version of Willie Dixon’s “Built For Comfort”, you’ll probably get a kick out of hearing Blindstone’s lead heavy slow motion version. One track I got a big kick out was Leslie West’s “By The River”, one of my favorite West songs. Guitarist Martin J. Andersen also does a really great job channeling his inner Rev Billy G in the cool re-make of ZZ Top’s “Bar-B-Q”. As always Martin plays the crap out of his guitar and sings like a champ, while Jesper Bunk rips that chunky bass and (quite) new drummer Sigurd Jöhnk-Jensen lays down awesome grooves throughout the album. If you’re an old Blindstone fan, this one won’t disappoint! All these covers have been perfectly shaped to fit the Blindstone mould. A killer album!

Janne Stark / Stark Music Reviews (Sweden) (March 2018)
 

---

Martin J. Andersen is underrated. Even if you think he’s one of the best today — which he is! — THAT would be underrating him. One cannot praise him too highly. He’s THAT good. In fact, he’s right there in league with the rock-blues giants of yesteryear, when music was MUSIC and guitarists knew how to play. It is appropriate, therefore, that Blindstone, his incredibly virtuosic power trio, covers classics from the day on his new studio release. He takes on less obvious tunes, but does them with a finesse and style that rivals the originals. Dare I say it: at times, he even surpasses the originals, if such a thing is possible. This disc is a ‘Blues-O-Delic Celebration,’ as the title tells us, and it is a celebration that should not be missed. A special highlight is Andersen’s version of “Hey Joe,” Hendrix style, which features not only his own inimitable guitar talents but those of his father and son as well, giving new meaning to the almost divine concept of ‘Trinity.’ I would go further: this CD is guitar heaven for discerning blues enthusiasts.

Steven J. Rosen / Author + Journalist (December 2017)
 

---

The Blindstone boys are back with a brand new album, this time a collection of covers amounting to a tribute to the blues.

Kicking off the album is a cover of BB King’s ‘Rock Me Baby‘. Now a cover can be two things. A carbon copy of the original or a band’s interpretation. Personally I prefer the latter as it’s interesting to listen to a song from a different angle so to speak. The original is a laid back track, while this is more forward, leaning more to blues rock which actually gives this track some balls!

Second up is ‘Blood Stream‘, originally released by Rocky Hill, brother of ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill. Straight away this grabs you with wailing guitar, and energetic rhythm section, this is Blindstone putting their stamp on it. Being very familiar with the original I’m not disappointed with this rendition.

Next is Freddy King’s ‘Pack It Up‘ covered by Bonamassa on Blues Deluxe which is more of a direct copy but as I said earlier, I prefer things getting a little twist or two. This is once again adding that that distinctive Blindstone blues rock stamp, which makes it more of a foot tapper in my book.

‘Me And My Woman‘ is next on the bill from the criminally underrated Shuggie Otis. The Blindstone version thankfully manages to retain elements of that 70’s New York funk groove with the underlying blues elements.

‘Old School‘ is a track unknown to myself and was originally recorded by the wonderfully named Guitar Shorty. An appropriately named track for sure as it is quite simply old school blues.

The next track ‘Somethin’s Got A Hold On Me’ is based on the Gales Brothers song which i believe is written by Eugene Gales. A slow blues number, low down and dirty with a wonderful guitar tone. Great stuff indeed.

You can’t really have an album in tribute to the blues without certain artists being covered. And so we have Howlin Wolf’s ‘Built For Comfort‘, a song which I’ve always loved for it’s lyrics. Blindstone have transformed it into what sounds like early ZZ Top, so another box ticked for me.

I’m really enjoying the selection of artists being covered on this album, people not normally covered. The next track is Leslie West’s ‘By The River‘, another southern soaked blues rock extravaganza which sounds more full bodied than the original, not to knock the original mind in any way.

Having mentioned that ‘Little Old Band From Texas’ ZZ Top earlier we now arrive at a cover of the band’s ‘Bar-B-Q‘, originally to be found on Rio Grande Mud. Martin has nailed the sound of Billy Gibbons’ guitar. Just over three minutes of musical bliss.

The next cover version is of Slim Harpo’s ‘Finger On The Trigger‘. I can see why this appears as the original is quite a funky blues number and I know Martin is rather partial to a bit of funky guitar.

We re-visit the legendary BB King with ‘The Blues Come Over Me‘, the guitar riff just gets your foot tapping and your hand starts to wander into air guitar mode!

Slowing things right down is our next number ‘Stone Crazy‘. Again from a blues legend, Mr Buddy Guy. Blindstone have for want of a better phrase, thickened out the sound, giving it almost some angst, but not taking away the essence of the song.

I’m not in the slightest bit surprised which artist is being covered on the last track on the album. Blindstone wouldn’t be Blindstone without some Jimi Hendrix in the mix somewhere! The Hendrix track chosen to close is ‘Hey Joe‘. Well I’ve never heard the band do a poor job when it comes to playing anything by Hendrix and this is no exception. What’s really great is Martin’s son Magnus Andersen and Jens Andersen, his dad, are both guesting on guitar.

To sum up, if you're already a Blindstone fan then you’ll most certainly enjoy the album. If you want to hear a covers album that isn’t covers by number then this is the album for you.

Dan Mann / Rockposer (November 2017)
 

---

Blindstone - "Ramblin' Man Fair" (2017) (Mirror:UK Review)

We headed to the Four Roses Bourbon Blues Stage and slowly made our way through the crowded tent towards some great blues/metal guitar work. Hogjaw were my favourite unexplored band last year, this year it was Blindstone, a trio from Denmark. Martin J. Andersen's guitar work left me watching in awe; not just twiddly diddly solo's for the sake of it, just real good songs from start to finish. One thing I love about festivals is bumping into relatively unknown bands that make you go "wow, they were good".

Mark Jennings / Mirror:UK (September 2017)
 

---

Blindstone is a Danish blues rock trio, which was founded in 2002 in Thisted. The founders were Martin J. Andersen (guitar, vocals) and Jesper Bunk (bass). The current line-up consists of Martin J. Andersen, Jesper Bunk and drummer Sigurd Jøhnk - Jensen, replacing Anders Hvidtfeldt, who replaced the first drummer Benjamin Hove in 2003, after their debut album.

Blindstone debuted with 'Manifesto'. This was followed by 'Freedom's Calling' [2008] and 'Rise Above' [2010] (with as guests the Danish guitarist Poul Halberg and Ty Tabor, (the guitarist of King's X). In 2012 the band released two albums simultaneously: 'Greetings From The Karma Factory' and 'Rare Tracks'.

On the seventh album 'The Seventh Cycle Of Eternity' [2016], drummer Sigurd Jøhnk-Jensen debuted. The successor is called 'Blues-O-Delic' [2017]. It is a "Tribute To The Blues" album with fifty-eight minutes of excellent blues rockin', powerful, bad-ass, Blindstone-ized, riffage, mojo & grooves ..."

The album contains thirteen tracks, including some (unknown / obscure) cover songs from the "3 Kings" (BB-Freddie-Albert), ZZ Top, Leslie West, Rocky Hill, Guitar Shorty, The Gales Brothers, Shuggie Otis, Peter Green & Jimi Hendrix. On the closing / bonus, Jimi Hendrix '"Hey Joe", the father of Andersen, Jens and his son Magnus can also be heard on guitar.

The opener is BB King's "Rock Me Baby". The cover is immediately noticed by Blindstone's interpretation of the song. They step or the original quiet pace and put a handsome, somewhat heavier blues rock version down. Next is "Blood Stream", an original song by Rocky Hill, the brother of Dusty Hill, the bassist of ZZ Top. Martin's first chords let Andersen shout his guitar and Jesper Bunk and Sigurd Jøhnk - Jensen provide the necessary supporting energy. Bassist Bunk provides a handsome and funky intermezzo. Blindstone continues the trip with Freddy King's "Pack It Up", which was also recorded by Bonamassa on "Blues Deluxe" [2003]. Again no hard copy, but an own Blindstone interpretation. "Me And My Woman" is a number of the somewhat undervalued Shuggie Otis. Blindstone is here for a funky version, which typified the New York funk groove from the 70s. From Guitar Shorty follows the somewhat old-fashioned blues shuffle "Old School". "Something's Got A Hold On Me" is inspired by the Gales Brothers' song, written by Eugene Gales. This song sounds like a slow blues should sound. Andersen's guitar clearly sets the tone here. Without Howlin Wolf no tribute album. "Built For Comfort" is a song from his' The Howlin 'Wolf' [1969] album. Blindstone's version could be from ZZ Top. The next track, Leslie West's "By The River", is another Southern blues rock "extravaganza" with more body. "Bar-B-Q" is an original ZZ Top song that can be found on 'Rio Grande Mud' [1972]. Andersen's guitar could be that of Billy Gibbons. The next song is Slim Harpo's "Finger On The Trigger". Blindstone's version is very funky. Another tribute must is BB King. His "The Blues Come Over Me" is bewitched by the riff of Andersen's guitar. We go to the end with "Stone Crazy", a classic by Buddy Guy. Blindstone goes for an oppressive version with better frazering. The bonus number is Jimi's "Hey Joe". With two extra guitars (Magnus & Jens Andersen) this is the icing on this blues tribute cake.

For fans of Hendrix, Robin Trower, Frank Marino, Leslie West, Eric Gales, Joe Bonamassa & this "blues-based, heavy guitar rock music" is an exciting and an absolute must.

Eric Schuurmans / Rootstime (Belgium) (December 2017)
 

---

ABOUT US | HOW TO ORDER | LINKS

---

COPYRIGHT © 2017 & BEYOND - GROOVEYARD RECORDS, INC. / WEBSITE DESIGN BY NYXIAN:DRIFT