‘Little Thunderstorms’ is the much anticipated second album by English guitarist and songwriter K.B. Bayley. An accomplished guitar player with his roots in the blues, the album finds him embracing an authentic sparse Americana sound that is engrossing from the start.
Bayley’s exquisite guitar work immediately immerses the listener from the opening slide notes of ‘Cold Rain’ and holds the attention until the final track ‘Cheap Suit’. Across eleven songs, his style mixes blues with atmospheric Americana as he blends slide with fingerpicking and harmonics; all overlaid with engrossing lyrics that include vivid characters and places.
Record during the lockdown of 2020, Bayley has done a wonderful job of putting together a beautifully produced collection of music. The production is sparse allowing every note he plays to ring loud and his reassuring vocal to deliver his captivating lyrics to full effect. His name might not yet raise the attention it deserves, but it is a testament to his skills that on this album he has enlisted the help of one of Americana’s top contemporary artists, Ben Glover as a guest vocalist on the enigmatic ‘Blood Red Lullaby’.
Other highlights include the ethereal instrumental cover of ‘Wayfaring Stranger’, featuring the spine-tingling violin of Adiescar Chase blending seamlessly with Bayley’s haunting blues guitar.
‘North Coast Girl’ with the addition of the Mid-West sound of harmonica player Gavin Thomas, is a sheer delight. Written as a tribute to Bayley’s Mother, it could easily sit comfortably on any of Springsteen’s albums. Featuring enough characters for a mini-movie ‘Little Thunderstorms’ is replete with emotional impact underpinned by contributions by vocalist Claudia Stark and pedal steel player Charlie Walter.
Quickly dispensing with the curse of the difficult second album, ‘Little Thunderstorms’ is a release that’s full of beautiful songs, characters, and music. Moreover, if there is any justice in this world, the name K.B. Bayley is one that will get the recognition it so rightly deserves on the back of this record.