Another quality blues-rock album from Danny Bryant (his 11th studio album) and why is this man not celebrated the world over as one of our greatest blues musicians. It is just over a year since his last release, the heartfelt Revelation, which was recorded just six months after his father’s death.

The album opens with Tired of Trying, which slowly gathers momentum with (as in the rest of the album) superb guitar solos. Too Far Gone was recorded with the big band Danny has been using on some of his live shows and is both dedicated to, and influenced by, Walter Trout. Love the piano on this track particularly.

The title track Means of Escape is also available as a single with an accompanying video and is a classic blues-rock song. Danny’s notes on the song read “Through all periods of my life music has been a constant. Through good and bad. It has been my focus and my release; my means of escape.” Amen. Nine Lives is a slice of Texas Blues at its best, with some excellent Hammond Organ from Stevie Watts.

Skin and Bone is a ‘heart-on his sleeve’ song written in memory of his beloved father, with just Danny and his acoustic guitar. The song portrays his emotion and love for him and a very brave song to choose to do on, what is, a very rocky album.

The final four songs on the album just seem to flow perfectly with excellent changes of pace with Warning Signs (In Her Eyes); the blues ballad Where The River Ends; Hurting Time (an old-time slow blues number with Danny’s debut on slide guitar) and, finally, the instrumental track Mya, which is a brilliant album closer and was recorded in just one take.

“Means of Escape” is an album that Danny is rightfully proud of and one which he produced himself for the first time. One of my personal favourites as well.