Coal Mining Blues Busted Flat Records***

Matt Andersen's nickname is Stubby Fingers, apparently a handle the big Canadian bluesman adopted himself. That may imply a blunt approach, but this 12-track collection is anything but. Andersen is comfortable in a range of blues settings, from Chicago to the Mississippi Delta, whether playing intricate acoustic or firing off disciplined solos. He also has a rich, soulful voice that packs a big emotional punch, not least on his fine version of Charlie Rich's gospel-tinged Feel Like Going Home. That's one of two covers; the rest are his own, many co-written with producer and fellow Canadian blues traveller Colin Linden. The pick of the bunch is the weary and expressive title track, but chugging rockers such as I Don't Wanna Give Inand Heartbreaker are possibly more typical of that timeless blue-collar blues genre. Watch out for Andersen's short Irish tour in March. stubbyfingers.ca

Download tracks: Coal Mining Blues, Feel Like Going Home, Heartbreaker