Matty T Wall: Blue Skies Review

Blue Skies is the debut album from Australian guitarist Matty T Wall. The album features 10 tracks, most of which are originals, but there are a few covers sprinkled in. One thing is for sure, there is plenty of material here for guitar aficionados to sink their teeth into.

The album begins with the Matty T Wall penned “Burnin’ Up Burnin’ Down,” which starts with a car engine revving and then heads into some greasy guitar work. It’s a definite blues rocker. Next up is a cover of Keb Mo’s “Am I Wrong,” which is a more stripped down foot stomper. The slow blues of “Love Gone Away” follows and features a soaring guitar solo. The fiery guitar work continues on “Scorcher,” which has a bit of a spaghetti western feel and some fine picking.

Things change directions with the title track, “Blue Skies,” showing off Matty’s songwriting chops as more than just a six-string wizard. The guitar returns to center stage on “This is Real” before we’re treated to a cover of Jimi Hendix’s “Voodoo Chile.” I’ll be honest, the song has been covered so many times, I was skeptical before listening, but this is a fantastic version. Matty really made it his own and the female backing vocals really make the chorus soar. Things switch gears with the jazzy rocker, “Broken Heart Tattoo.” “Smile” is an instrumental before Matty closes out the album with a cover of Robert Johnson’s “Hellhound On My Trail.”

Blue Skies has already reached #1 on the Australian iTunes Blues chart, but Matty T Wall is still a relative unknown in the rest of the world and that should change begin to change now. Blue Skies is a well rounded album from a very talented guitarist worthy of your attention. In a year with several great blues rock albums you can add another to the list with Blue Skies.

The Review: 8.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Blue Skies
– Love Gone Away
– This Is Real
– Voodoo Chile

The Big Hit

– Blue Skies

Review by Pete Francis