Long known as one of Europe’s preeminent blues harmonica players, Richard Gjems now reveals himself as a distinct voice in a contemporary landscape of blues, Americana and rootsy heartland rock. Together with The High Rollers, Gjems’ weaves a tapestry of reimagined blues riffs and symbolist poetry that creates unique musical universe. The ghosts of John Lee Hooker, JJ Cale and Arthur Rimbaud linger in the background every time you give their new album One Hand Clapping a spin. Songs about haunting, spirits and long-lost love, seamlessly blend with musical tales of more tangible matters such as horses, cold gravel, trenches and levees – all draped in an ambient dreamscape of distorted guitars and howling harmonicas. The blues is a beautiful landscape to explore, also in troubled times, so sit back, relax and listen.
