Song
Jealousy
Artist
Ramblin’ Preachers
Ramblin’ Preachers backstory
A mutual appreciation of blues, rock and both genres’ founding fathers persuaded Ross Connor and James Ives to launch a new band rooted in the past.
Ramblin’ Preachers swiftly gravitated towards Southern rock and Americana — channelling their inner Blackberry Smoke and Rival Sons.
And it was little surprise when the band bagged best new act on the Introducing Stage at the 2022 Great British Rock & Blues Festival.
Previous singles Mind Your Own Business, Better Than Me, Jester and Separate Ways are rich in rootsy rock hewn from the bouldering giants of the 70s.
And Jealousy maintains a ripe run of on-point releases tapping into the resurgent New Wave Of Classic Rock movement.
Producers Wayne Procter and Oli Brown continue to tease a new direction out of Ramblin’ Preachers’ trademark sound.
And debut album Sins & Virtues can’t come soon enough for fans of a band standing on the brink of greatness.
In frontman Ross Connor’s own words
“’Why don’t you just give up the music?’.
“‘What’s more important? The band or working?’. ‘Do people even listen to that music?’.
“These are just a few of the phrases that I’ve heard throughout my life but something I’ve noticed is how the people I’ve heard it from all have the same thing in common.
“Yes, they work, but they have no hobbies and nothing that makes them interesting.
“All they can talk about is working.
“I’ve always put these comments down to nothing but jealousy and the fact that we get to emotionally express ourselves through music.
“I think I speak for anyone that plays music or gets to do something they love — no matter what it is.
“It gives us a reason to wake up in the morning and it gives us a purpose in life.
“It’s quite often an escape from reality. That’s what Jealousy is about.”
The verdict on Jealousy
Clinging to the coattails of Rushonrock-approved Kris Barras and Jack J Hutchinson, Ramblin’ Preachers are further proof of the insane talent at the heart of a bullish British blues rock scene.
Fusing steaming Southern rock with sweeps of dusty Americana, Ross Connor and co. elevate Jealousy to a Black Crowes-meets-Eagles level of groove-laden joy.
And what about that scorcher of a solo?
It might be wise to douse your speakers in a bucket of ice-cold water prior to unleashing an explosive volley of red-hot fret work.
Jealousy mixes lyrical heft with melodic bite to bring Ramblin’ Preachers’ true potential to the fore.
And if another earworm of a single is a sign of things to come then debut album Sins & Virtues should be a killer record.
The Preachers have spoken and their truth is compelling.
What’s next for Ramblin’ Preachers
Sins & Virtues is slated for a March 2024 release.
The band plays Newark, Northampton and Leamington Spa later this month.
February’s UK Blues, Rhythm and Rock festival kicks off a busy run of 2024 dates.
