Box of the Blues (Neol Davies / Horace Panter)

Box of the Blues (Neol Davies / Horace Panter)

BAND INDEX

Doesn't appear to be any tracks from the album now available on line. 

Line Up

Neol Davies Guitar / vocals

Horace Panter bass guitar

Anthony Harty drums

"Neol Davies is in heaven playing the blues and so is Horace Panter. With ska there was not much room for improvisation. Box of Blues allows Neol Davies to show off his mastery of the guitar and employ an asset that has been underused, his voice. Neol Davies and his two colleagues are enjoying the novelty of playing small, intimate venues again. Far from the land of ska, into a land called the blues, Neol Davies, Horace Panter, and Anthony Harty are welcomed members of the community. The soulful presentation of Box of Blues proves to all that they have found a genre where black and white musicians, like two-tone ska, can and have grooved to the same beat for many years." ~ Larry Belanger, Rovi 

From Last FM 

"Neol’s first album under his own name -Box of Blues, (released in 1999/2000) is a collection of original Blues songs and one instrumental, the sublime Paradise Re-visited, which finally brought Neol together with Horace Panter, aka Sir Horace Gentleman, the original bass-ace from The Specials. A mutual love of guitar, bass, drums (and vocals) bands like Free and the Who led to the recording philosophy of the album, which was to keep it simple and raw, but with snappy arrangements learnt from the 2 Tone experience. With former Paul Weller and Dennis Greaves sidekick, Anthony Harty, defining a new style on the drums, Box of Blues was highly praised throughout the blues scene, both here and internationally, and the classic three-piece guitar, bass and drums line-up toured extensively as a result."

Box of Blues Review by Larry Belanger 

https://www.allmusic.com/album/box-of-blues-mw0001008673
Neol Davies displays another side of himself with this creative album of blues lead guitar licks and blues vocal expressions. Far from the two tone ska sound that has for so long been his signature cry for fame, he easily flows with fluidity into the blues genre. His seasoned experience as a musician lends a gracefulness to his playing, but it is the creative genius in the artist that brings the strength to the album. The partnership with Horace Panter, who displays creative genius in his improv-style bass chops, and the precise percussion from Anthony Harty only strengthen the charismatic elements of the album. The album starts off with, "this time it is for real," which is a rockin' blues number, via some screaming lead guitar riffs and a sound that feels very "live." Neol Davies' vocal style on "This Time It Is for Real" is clean and melodic, not the rough and gritty style all too commonly heard in the blues genre. The lyrics are contagious and memorable, flowing with ease between the well-balanced instrumental accentuations. With echoes of Jimi Hendix, Robin Trower, Jimmy Page, and the few masters of creative guitar genius, "Paradise Revisited" hypnotizes and magnetizes the listener. Neol Davies has allowed all to enjoy another side of his creative genius with his hypnotic guitar work in the blues genre. He, along with the fantastic rhythm section of Horace Panter and Anthony Harty, have blessed blues fans with another gem to add to their treasured library of classics. Box of Blues easily fits in the niche with albums from other masters of the blues. Just file it in any favorite "box of blues."