BLUES IS ON FIRE

"Lonnie Shields is a bluesman intent on breaking down barriers. Representative of a new brand of blues artistry, his music naturally incorporates elements of funk and R&B [he started off in a band that specialised in Earth, Wind & Fire and Isley Brothers covers] and modern soul/blues [Z.Z.Hill was a big influence], as well as more traditional blues sounds." "Gospel influences are clearly present in Lonnie's music and his singing style - and in the "positive blues" lyrics of some of his songs. He views himself as a "messenger of peace", a role he assumes at the conclusion of this, his third album, with "Freedom", a song about "trying to stop the wars, the fighting, the killing, corruption in the world...".