2018 – Little Village
Foundation
By Phillip Smith;
Dec. 8, 2018
I still remember the first time I heard Kevin
Burt perform. It was shortly after I moved to Iowa in 1992. It was a remarkable performance with Kevin
fronting his band The Instigators. His
voice was unique and unforgettable. Kevin
has been a key presence in the music community here for a long time. It makes me happy to see him become a part of
a much larger scene since bringing home first place awards in three different categories
during the 2018 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee : Best Solo/Duo Performer, Best Guitarist, Best Harmonica Player. Recorded
at the famed Greaseland Studios in San Jose, California, and produced by
Kid Andersen and Jim Pugh, this debut album Heartland & Soul is more than fabulous. With Kevin on vocals, acoustic guitar,
and harmonica, Jerry Jemmott (Gregg Allman) appears on bass, Derrick ‘D’Mar’
Martin ( Little Richard) on drums, Jon Otis (Johnny Otis’ son) on
percussion, Kid Andersen (Rick Estrin & the Nightcats) on guitar and
melodica, Jim Pugh (Robert Cray) on keys, and Lisa Leuschner Andersen
on backing vocals.
It doesn’t take long to be overcome by the soulful groove
of “Day Day”, the first selection on this twelve track masterpiece. It certainly brings me to my happy space. An inspirational message of gratitude is beautifully
spun with heartfelt emotion in “Thank You”. It’s a wonderful song indeed. With a nice and swampy taste of slide guitar topped
with harmonica, Kevin breaks into “Smack Dab in the Middle”. This bodacious track is steeped in delta-style
blues and infused with a funky bassline and brilliant, jamming keys. Ensuring the only cover song on the album “Eleanor
Rigby” is an absolute head-turner, Kevin adds a personal touch to give the
song a greater sense of poignancy. It’s
such an amazing listen.
Heartland & Soul certainly ranks right up there
with the best blues albums released this year.
It definitely merits my highest level of recommendation.
