Born and raised in Cadillac, North Michigan, Winslow-King's songs draw upon American musical traditions. The 15 years he spent in New Orleans from the age of 19 are a prime influence.
His mature, gravelly voice adds an authentic laid back feel to songs which set out to highlight the redeeming powers of love and friendship.
He is assisted by collaborators which include Italian blues guitarist Roberto Luti, drummer Chris Davis and Mike Lynch on organ.
Amid run of the mill blues boogies or gentle country ambles there's Born To Roam, an obligatory paean to a wanderer's life, and the gospel-infused Break Down The Walls. The latter has such a relaxed vibe that it's only likely to make the flimsiest of walls tumble.
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Lines like "Come on baby set my soul on fire..... you are my one desire" on Chicken Dinner illustrate an over-dependence on re-hashed sentiments rather than troubling to plunder his own.
Even the closing song, Farewell Blues, a song written after he found out about his late father’s cancer diagnosis, offers little more than 'I'll miss you when your gone' platitudes.
As a result it's hard to empathize or feel impassioned by any of the songs.
Listen to Blue Mesa on Bandcamp
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