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Shades of Blue (Mervin Hall, Songwriter)

 ‘Shades of Blue' represents all the music of Mervin Hall, solo and as a duo with Barnaby Johnson on percussion, and also Studio recordings with local guest musicians.

 Originally from Wolverhampton, Mervin's own distinctive musical style has evolved mainly through the influences of US and UK Blues artists as well as reggae and singer-songwriters. Mervin regards himself principally as a songwriter but he has also proved to be a strong live performer, in London and Cornwall over many years. His catalogue of songs reflects an undertone of blues and soulful lyrics mixed with elements of protest, fused together with a percussive guitar style. Now based in Cornwall Mervin frequently performs new material at local Open Mic Nights.

  In late 2006 the album ‘more than a promise' was released and tracks are still receiving good feedback and increasing sales. The album is full of individual and memorable songs like “Love's on the line”, “Women and Cats” and “Long winter nights” (Live performance favourites) and more recent material like “Just let me dream”, “Rainbow”, “Dreams of sleep” and “Is that all”. Tracks from the album have been played on BBC Radio Cornwall, local commercial radio station Pirate FM and student radio Cardiff. With this distinctive album behind him Mervin will be recording a second album soon - another taste of the sounds of Shades of Blue to come.

 Mervin's expressive vocals and Barnaby's unique percussion gives a different dimension to the sound and style of the album tracks.

 Shades of Blue can be seen live throughout 2009 at Cornish venues such as The Jacob's Ladder in Falmouth, the Studio Bar in Penzance, Acoustic Cafe and the Melting Pot Jam Nights (at the One Eyed Cat and the Riverbank) in Truro, Sandbar at Praa Sands and at the Blue Bar in Porthtowan.