Hailing from Winnipeg, Canadian blues man Big Dave McLean releases Pocket Full Of Nothin' his most ambitious album yet. With an assembled group of Black Hen regulars including Steve Dawson on multiple stringed instruments, Jeremy Holmes and Gary Craig handling bass and drums, and Chris Heard on piano and organ making up the nucleus of the band, adding Jerry Cook on Baritone sax, Dominic Conway on tenor sax and Malcolm Aiken on trumpet truly made Big Dave's sound complete opening the album with Songs Of The Blues. McLean's bellowing, prairie storm of a voice takes us on a journey through the blues, with a swirling organ and hints of slide guitar and percussion Don't Be Laying That Stuff On Me gives off a bit of a swampy vibe. Next up is a highlight for me, Backwards Fool a laidback rhythm from drums and upright bass is bolstered with some excellent playing from the rest of the band creating a blues with stax appeal. Some fine toe tapping jump blues follows on with the upbeat All Day Party, an enjoyable reworking of Voodoo Music mixes sounds well, the emphasis is more on the acoustic guitar playing of McLean on Baby, giving a more acoustic flavour to the sound, A swampy blues guitar and menacing organ mixed with feisty gritty vocals gives the old chess gem Just To Be With You a dirty swagger that makes it my stand out track, When I Was Young mixes the acoustic and band sound well. McLean delivers a tongue in cheek warning on the fun track You've Been Told, while a good dancing vibe is created on the southern country boogie that is another excellent reworking of Midnight Rider. Staying with the dancing mood a more country vibe is played on Manitoba Mud with some superb horns before finishing with the sing along There will Always Be A Change. There was always something different to hear and feel, keeping the album fresh and very enjoyable, excellent stuff well worth a listen.