The Same Old Blues is the debut album from Manchester four-piece Proud Mary - named after a Creedence Clearwater Revival song.

The band are Paul Newsome (guitar, backing vocals), Adam Gray (guitar) and Nev Cottee (bass).

Produced by Noel Gallagher they have a very rock, acoustic sound like Paul Weller, Bob Dylan, Neil Young etc.

The album opens with Give A Little Love, written by Cottee, this track features a fantastic chorus, "Once you give a little love/You're gonna get some love right back." Just like that Indian mantra: "Life is like a mirror, you smile and it smiles back."

Following is Very Best Friend, a mix of country and blues. Track four is All Good Things, one of the singles to come out of the album. Again, a fantastic mix of country, blues and rock'n'roll.

Following, is the excellent Somewhere Down The Line. A feel-good country ballad. Just For You is again, a rock/country ballad with an anthemic chorus.

Number eight is a cover of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards' Salt Of The Earth. A perfect track for this album - anthemic chorus included. Ending this LP is the title track, this is more country than the rest of the album.

A fantastic album, featuring some brilliant acoustic, country and rock'n'roll. Standout tracks include Salt Of The Earth, Somewhere Down The Line and All Good Things.