I recently caught Jules and harmonica player Chris Mac at at intimate venue where his superior musicianship, engaging personality and intelligent songs won over a packed house. Loved the humanity in his lyrics and the respect he has for the blues idiom’’.

BILLY PINNELL

*

“Melbourne multi Instrumentalist/singer/songwriter, Jules Boult has produced a brilliant debut release bursting with a fresh & original take on his penchant for early Jazz, Blues & old time music. Well crafted music & witty, emotive lyrics delivered with ease and a smile. A gem!”

HELEN JENNING, PBS FM

*

The Age (Entertainment Guide) – 3 1/2 STARS

A YOUNG Melbourne musician with a taste for the arcane, Jules Boult delivers a nice line in blues and hokum. His is the poetry of plain speaking and this collection of original songs fits comfortably into a long tradition. The unforced ease of the material can raise a smile to put one in mind of the first couple of Taj Mahal albums (the ones with the late Jesse Ed Davis on guitar) — and that’s no light compliment. A good humour percolates through the music, the playing is tight but loose and, vocally, Boult doesn’t strain for effect (usually the sticking point with white blues singers). Boult plays piano, various guitars, banjo and ukulele and about him has assembled stellar collaborators, including Andy Baylor on fiddle and mandolin, Martin Cooper on pungent but understated electric guitar, Paul Gadsby on double bass, producer Chris Wilson (not the harmonica man) on piano and Jimmie Sloggett on tenor sax. And mention must be made of Aaron Richard on sousaphone — when was the last time you heard a sousaphone on a record?

KEN WILLIAMS