American guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Selwyn Birchwood has had quite the success the past several years. After winning the 2013 International Blues Challenge (band category), he was signed by Alligator Records and released the stellar album Don’t Call No Ambulance, which received two Blues Blast Award nominations and a Blues Music Award (Best New Artist Debut category). Birchwood’s sophomore effort, Pick Your Poison, again showcases his gruff vocals and talent for both regular six-string electric guitar and an electric lap steel guitar alongside Regi Oliver (saxophone), Huff Wright (bass), and Courtney “Big Love” Girlie (drums). The album was produced by Birchwood himself in Orlando as a sequel to his debut. Album highlights include: the scorching opening track “Trial by Fire”; the gospel funk infused “Even the Saved Need Saving too”; the humorous yet personal “My Whiskey Loves My Ex”; the decadent “Guilty Pleasures”; and the funk reggae-tinged title-track. With these two stellar LP’s, Birchwood is firmly established as a rising blues star. – Written by JFelton
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