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CD
REVIEW BY TOM HYSLOP -
BLUES REVUE
Using
a compact somewhat different lineup seems to be a good
way to nail a contemporary soul-blues sound. It's worked
well from a commercial standpoint for Tommy Castro; let's
hope East St. Louis' Alvin Jett & the Phat noiZ Blues
Band achieve similar success. Jett, who earned his stripes
playing with Tommy Bankhead, plays fluid, cutting, mostly
understated guitar and has a commanding, gruff vocal style.
 The
band - Matt Davis (bass), Jeremy West (drums), and Frank
Bauer (sax) - lays down fine, funky arrangements. "Your
Blues Ain't Like Mine" is a convincing slow blues;
"Bluesman balances slick changes against retro lyrics
and rhythms; "East Side Women" is a straight
shuffle played clean, no concessions. "What Must
A Player Do" is a completely successful contemporary
blues; "China Doll" plays eastern tricks with
the pentatonic scale yet has a similarly modern sound.
Best are the soul-influenced tracks: the P-funk/James
Brown/Kool & the Gang hybrids "Phat noiZ"
and Wet My Beak"; "Coming My Way", part
Soloman Burke, part Tyrone Davis; the southern soul of
"I Got My Pride." Wet My Beak (self release)
is highly recommended. This band should be playing festivals
this summer.
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Reviews
of 'Wet My Beak' |
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Graham
Clarke, Blues Bytes |
"Mad
Dog" Dave Madlener -
Blues On Stage
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Cornbread,
STLBlues |
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