A German band with a Dutch singer that has its basis in Bremen. These are real old guys that know how to play music. The band is eighteen years old now and there have been several changes in the line-up during that period. The founder of the band is J.J. Surrey. The title of this CD ‘Playing Giants’ refers to the writers of the songs that are played on this record. There are thirteen songs on this record, that has a duration of almost one hour. On this record the band plays songs of several different artists, for example from legendary people like Robert Johnson ‘Dust My Broom’ and Willy Dixon ‘Rock Me Baby’, but also from musicians who are still playing like Mick Jagger and Keith Richards ‘It’s All Over Now’, Van Morrison ‘Don’t you Know’ and BB King ‘Every Day’. Playing covers… Is it a lack of originality or inspiration? Or is it an ode to some famous artists? On this record the last thing seems to be the case. The versions of ‘Last Night’ (Elvis Presley) and ‘Little Red Rooster’ (Rolling Stones) are definitely worth listening to. Off course, you immediately make the link to the original songs, but the versions played by J.J. and the Shuffle Kings are more than acceptable. Jan Rietdijk is the singer on most of the songs, while Ole Morisee (guitar), Dieter Winge (bass) and drummer Andreas ‘Randy Andy’ Gellert forms the rest of the band. There is clean and gentle guitar playing on ‘Tore Up’, ‘Rumba for Rick’ and ‘Sadie’, but the band also takes the more heavy road on ‘Dust My Broom’ and ‘Little Red Rooster’. All together we can speak of a record that is certainly worth listening to. Off course, there are little original things to hear. However, the relaxed way, in which the songs are played, gives a good feeling.