Showing posts with label Mike Zito. Show all posts

Friday, February 9, 2024

#660 : Mike Zito - Life is Hard (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2024 – Gulf Coast Records

By Phillip Smith; Feb. 9, 2024

Release Date : February 23, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I’ve been writing about the music of Mike Zito since my earliest days of reviewing albums. His literal finesse and musical mastery propel his songs into a realm of their own. Zito’s latest album Life is Hard stands apart from the rest. Drenched with passion, love, and grief, this record is a heart-felt dedication to his wife Laura who succumbed to cancer last summer. Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith team up again to produce as well as lend their talents as guitarists, with Reese Wynans on keys, Calvin Turner on bass, and Lemar Carter on drums.

“Lonely Man” hits first with a cooking rhythm, searing guitar, and rolling keys. It is then topped with a healthy serving of sax from Paulie Cerra. This Little Milton cover absolutely swings and it sounds great. The blues gets serious and real as Zito tears it up on title track “Life is Hard”, originally by Fred James. I’m left speechless as his guitar openly wails from emotion. I dig how he injects a Chuck Berry vibe into the classic Lefty Frizzell song “No One to Talk to (But the Blues)”. Wymans gives the song a Little Richard-treatment on keys for an energetic accompaniment. I love the cover of Tinsley Ellis’ “Dying to do Wrong”. This cowboy-blues track runs along an ominous set of rails and I am instantly drawn in. I can’t help but tear up when I hear him take on the Guess Who song “These Eyes”. The production on this track is superb, featuring Jennifer Kumma and Anna Spina on French horn, and Jade Macrae and Dannielle Deandrea on background vocals. “Without Loving You”, a Zito-original, has an intriguing, progressive element which captivates me as it pulls me into its crawling hypnotic rhythm. Life is Hard concludes with a solemn rendition of Gary Davis’ 1960 gospel blues spiritual “Death Don’t Have No Mercy”. As the song approaches its finish, it wonderfully swells with the sound of spirits and the ethers until total silence suddenly crashes.

Life is Hard is a blues album to be listened to in its entirely. This is one everyone needs to hear.

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Track list

1 - Lonely Man

2 - Life Is Hard

3 - Have a Talk with God

4 - Forever My Love

5 - No One to Talk to (But the Blues)

6 - Dying to Do Wrong

7 - These Eyes

8 - Darkness

9 - Without Loving You

10 - Nobody Moves Me Like You Do

11 - Death Don’t Have No Mercy

12 - Forever My Love (radio edit)

For more information about the artist, visit this website : https://www.mikezito.com/

For past reviews mentioning Mike Zito on PhillyCheezeBlues :

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=mike+zito

Saturday, January 28, 2023

#594 > Tas Cru - Riffin' the Blue (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

2023 – SubCat Records

By Phillip Smith; Jan. 28, 2023

Release Date : Feb. 3, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

Riffin’ the Blue, the latest from New York bluesman Tas Cru, certainly lives up to its name. The riffs are infectious and deliciously bluesy, making for a fantastic new batch of home-grown originals from Tas. The album is self-produced and features Tas on vocals and guitar with Mary Ann Casale on backing vocals, Ron Keck on percussion, Bruce Katz on piano/organ, Andy Hearn on drums, and Bob Purdy on bass. Special guests include Mike Zito, Lenny Milano, and Bill Barry.

With Zito tearing it up with a smoking performance on lead guitar, the album bursts wide open with the title-track “Riffin’ the Blues”. The organ accompaniment from Barry sounds glorious on this rocking blues shuffle. A funky beat and a swinging rhythm is the backbone for the rally cry of “Stand Up”. It’s an absolute favorite which quickly brings me up on my feet. I love the lush Mark Knopfler-ish tone Tas pulls out of his guitar on “Throw it All Away”. Tas’ approach to writing and composing often reflect a Warren Zevon kind of style. “Crazy Getting in My Way” is a fine example of a song which falls into that category. It’s quite an amazing track. Riffin’ the Blue concludes with the haunting blues of “Memphis Gone” which showcases the talent of Zito on slide guitar. The emotion Tas poignantly pours into his vocal and guitar performance is deeply felt.

Riffin’ the Blue is a brilliant album and is now my favorite release from Tas Cru. I highly recommend this one.

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For more information about Tas Cru, visit his website at : https://tascru.com

Check out other PhillyCheeze reviews for Tas Cru at : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=tas+cru

Saturday, December 12, 2020

#476 : Kevin Burt - Stone Crazy

2020 – Gulf Coast Records

By Phillip Smith; Dec. 12, 2020

It’s hard to believe two years have passed since Kevin Burt released his break-out album, Heartland & Soul. That was such a splendid recording. Stone Crazy, his very latest album is plumb phenomenal, built of songs focusing on his own experiences in life, love, and relationships. Burt proves once again, he is a superfecta of entertainment, with his unique soulful vocals, harmonica mastery, insightful songwriting, and delicate guitar styling. This time around, Burt is working with Mike Zito and his label Gulf Coast Records. Zito not only produced the album, but also appears on guitar, along with Doug Byrkit on bass guitar, Matthew Johnson on drums, Lewis Stephens on keys, and Jimmy Carpenter on saxophone.

With an enormous blast of juicy blues harp from Burt, the record opens with the infectious groove of “I Ain’t Got No Problem With It”. From this moment, I am hooked. I love the swampy slide guitar and harp combo on “Rain Keeps Coming Down”. This is pure blues, and it sounds fantastic.

Burt goes into troubadour-mode with title-track love ballad “Stone Crazy”. The song glistens with heart-felt soul. With one exception, this album consists of all original songs written by Burt. That exception is a of the Bill Withers’ flip side to his “Lean on Me” single “Better Off Dead”. Burt takes this funky-yet-intense, down-hearted song and definitely makes it his own.

The record comes to a deep and heady conclusion with the poignant “Got To Make a Change”. Burt’s performance is passionate and reflective. Stone Crazy is definitely an album you’ll want to own.

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For more information about the artist, visit this website: http://kevinburtmusic.com/

Take a listen to the album on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special link.

Saturday, August 29, 2020

#460 : Kat Riggins - Cry Out

2020 – Gulf Coast Records

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 29, 2020

It’s been almost four years since being smitten by the music of Kat Riggins, with her 2016 album Blues Revival. That album was so incredible. Her brand-new album, Cry Out is yet another musical masterpiece. Recorded on Mike Zito’s label Gulf Coast Records, the album has a big Zito presence. Each of the original thirteen tracks were written by Riggins and composed by Zito, with the only exception being a short thirty-five second interlude of “Hand in the Hand”. Backing Riggins on the album is drummer Brian Zielie, bassist Doug Byrkit, featuring Zito on guitar.

“Son of a Gun” kicks the record off with a big meaty bassline, locked and loaded with a driving rhythm. It’s a southern rocker infused with Seventies-style stanky funk, and packed with soul. A fitting song for the times, title-track “Cry Out” is steeped in blues, and topped with a big slice of juicy harp. “Catching Up” captivates me with Riggins’ smooth, powerful vocals which ride atop a tide of infectious riffs and thunderous beats. Her no-holds-barred delivery on “Can’t You See Me Now” is nicely punched up with blasts of brass and hot guitar licks. Kat sings the blues with abundant intensity in “Burn it All Down”, as she goes all-in for a final showdown in a shaky relationship. “The Storm” ominously wraps the album up in a harrowing and blues-soaked manner. Riggins’ gives a dynamic performance as Zito takes his guitar out for a lush and psychedelic walk.

Kat Riggins is definitely among the top of my list when it comes to favorite blues singers today. As a songwriter, her mastery of writing blues songs is quite noteworthy. Cry Out is an excellent album in all regards.

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For more information about the artist, visit this website : katriggins.com

PhillyCheeze’s Sep.16, 2016 review of Kat Riggins’ Blues Revival

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2016/09/kat-riggins-blues-revival.html

Saturday, May 16, 2020

#445 : Albert Castiglia - Wild and Free

2020 – Gulf Coast Records

By Phillip Smith; May 16, 2020

Albert Castiglia’s prowess as a guitarist never ceases to amaze me. He is one of my go-to artists when I really want to hear my blues sizzle. His latest album Wild and Free definitely cooks. Produced by Mike Zito and recorded live on January 3^rd and 4^th, 2020 at the Funky Biscuit in Boca Raton, Florida, this recording features guests John Ginty, and Lewis Stephens with Zito himself making an appearance. Castiglia’s rhythm section is comprised of bassist Justine Tompkins, and drummer Ephraim Lowell. They sound great, and they’re tight as hell.

Castiglia kickstarts the album with a furious, intense rush by leading off with “Let the Big Dog Eat”. Stephens adds a delightful taste of soul on B3, while the others keep it funky. The momentum continues to build with “Hoodoo on Me”. Castiglia’s fearless, blues-soaked vocals are perfectly fit for his attention-grabbing guitar licks. Then “Heavy” gently rolls in on this big mellow wave. This beautifully written and executed song about life itself is one of my absolute favorites. I also adore their eight and half minute colossal jam on Paul Butterfield’s “Lovin’ Cup” with Ginty on B3. I can’t help but smile when Castiglia and the guys dive in to Johnny Winter’s “Too Much Seconal” with both Ginty and Zito stepping in for some old school blues. This is what it’s all about. “Boogie Funk”, another bodacious eight and half minute jam, brings things to a lively close with a riveting performance and plenty of searing guitar action.

To fill the void in these times in which live music is not available, Albert Castiglia’s Wild and Free is exactly what I need to hear.

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For more information about the artist, visit this website.. www.albertcastiglia.net

Saturday, May 2, 2020

#443 : Tyler Morris - Living in the Shadows

2020 – Vizztone

By Phillip Smith; May 2, 2020

I’ve been a fan of Tyler Morris since reviewing his 2018 album Next in Line. He continues to push the envelope when it comes to mastery of guitar, and his latest release Living in the Shadows is testament to that fact. Backing Morris on this album is bassist Terry Dry, drummer Matthew Robert Johnson, and Lewis Stephens on Hammond B3 and Wurlitzer piano. Produced by Mike Zito, this fourth release from Morris also features a remarkable guest list comprised of Ronnie Earl, Joe Louis Walker, and Amanda Fish.

Morris pours out some magnificent blues with a terrific cover of Don Nix’s “Everybody Wants to go to Heaven”. Zito and Walker both take the mike on “Polk Salad Annie” while Stephens lays down the rich sounds of B3. Morris absolutely sizzles on guitar. The notes weightlessly float through the air with “Temptation”, a beautifully executed original. Amanda Fish, whose music I adore, is guest singer on “Better Than You”. This riveting Suzi Quatro-esque blues-rocker was penned by Zito and co-founder of Gulf Coast Records, Guy Hale. With “Young Man Blues”, Morris pays homage to the artists and musicians who gave him inspiration over the years. Ronnie Earl provides additional guitar on the song, and it sounds great. Morris infuses a tremendously infectious riff fortified with stellar licks on “Taken From Me”. This one has a way of coaxing me to turn the volume up. The record ends with the heavy, rocking blues of “I’m on to You”, another smokin’ original. Hearing him rip it up on guitar is a sheer delight.

Living in the Shadows is a rock-solid album loaded with blazing guitar performances. Morris’ playing is downright amazing. Thanks to younger blues artists like him, the Blues will be around for quite a while longer.

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For more information about the artist, visit this website : http://www.tylerdmorris.com/

Saturday, January 4, 2020

#425 : Joanna Connor - Rise

2019 – M.C. Records
By Phillip Smith; Jan. 4, 2020

For over thirty-five years, Joanna Connor has been wooing blues fanatics in the Windy City. Rise represents her thirteenth album, and third for M.C. Records. After spotlighting her 2016 release Six String Stories on my blog and being gobsmacked while watching her perform at the 2017 Czech Village Blues festival in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, it’s a great pleasure to hear new music from this fabulous musician. Connor, on guitars and vocals, is backed by bassist Joewaun Jay Red Scott, drummers Cameron Lewis and Tyrone “TY Drums” Mitchell, Delby Littlejohn on keys and Ryan Shea on sax.

Joined by Keithen Banks on vocals and rapper Alphonso Buggz Dinero, Connor starts the record off with a delightful dose of funk-filled R&B in “Flip”. This is where all the fun begins. Then, with guitar in hand, Mike Zito steps in on “Bad Hand”. This uplifting track is accented quite nicely with a beautiful keyboard performance from Littlejohn. Lewis tears it up on the jazz instrumental “Joanna in A”. This is one hip track that feeds the spirit. Another great instrumental is the cover of Sly Stone’s “If You Want Me to Stay”. I dig it when Scott pours the funk on the bass. Listening to Connor play “My Irish Father” is an absolutely astonishing experience. She truly is a master.

Connor’s blend of funk and blues goes right for the jugular in “Mutha” with fierce, mind-blowing guitar licks and vocal backing from Dinero. The album comes to a climatic end with “Dear America”, a heavy Led Zeppelin-based blend of “When the Levee Breaks” topped with Dinero’s spoken-word state-of-the-world message.

Rise elevates Joanna Connor to a brand-new level. I highly recommend this one.

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For more information about the artist, visit this website: www.joannaconnor.com

PhillyCheeze’s Review of Joanna Connor’s Six String Stories : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2017/08/joanna-connor-six-string-stories.html

PhillyCheeze’s Photo coverage of 2017 Czech Village Blues festival, featuring headliner Joanna Connor : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2017/08/czech-village-blues-festival-aug-12-2017.html

Friday, November 22, 2019

#418 : Mike Zito and Friends - Rock ‘n’ Roll : A Tribute to Chuck Berry

2019 – Ruf Records
By Phillip Smith; Nov. 22, 2019

This latest release from bluesman Mike Zito is a mighty stellar tribute to the legendary ‘Father of Rock and Roll’ Chuck Berry. Being that both Zito and Berry are from St. Louis, Missouri, makes this a very personal project. Zito, backed by his band, bassist Terry Dry, drummer Matthew Johnson, and pianist/organist Lewis Stephens incorporates a smashing guest list on this twenty track album, which includes some of my favorites: Joanna Conner, Walter Trout, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales, Luther Dickenson, Sonny Landreth, Tinsley Ellis,Tommy Castro, Albert Castiglia, and Kid Anderson.

The album begins with one of the first songs I learned to play on organ, William C. Handy’s “St. Louis Blues”. This song which I hold close to my heart features Chuck Berry Jr. It’s such a rocking version of the song, and ushers the album in quite nicely. I love the cover of “Rock & Roll Music” with Joanna Connor. She’s such a powerhouse of a guitarist, and brings a lot to the table on this one. Walter Trout shines as he always does on “Johnny B Goode”. Damn, this one rocks! Robben Ford steps in to record a fantastic remake of “You Never Can Tell”. This one will always remind me of my favorite film, Pulp Fiction. The legendary Eric Gales punches up another favorite “Back in the USA” with a huge dose of his ripping guitar-work. I always appreciate what Luther Dickinson is involved in, and “Too Much Monkey Business” is no exception. I love “No Particular Place to Go” with Jerimiah Johnson. This one really resonates. Sonny Landreth brings a certain smoothness to “Havana Moon”. I could listen to this one all day long.

Being a huge fan of Chuck Berry and Mike Zito, this album has such a hold on me. It’s downright spectacular.

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For more information about the artist, visit this website.. www.mikezito.com

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. St - Louis Blues Charlie Berry III

2. Rock N Roll Music - Joanna Connor

3. Johnny B - Goode - Walter Trout

4. Wee Wee Hours - Joe Bonamassa

5. Memphis - Anders Osborne

6. I Want to Be Your Driver Ryan Perry

7. You Never Can Tell - Robben Ford

8. Back in the USA - Eric Gales

9. No Particular Place to Go - Jeremiah Johnson

10. Too Much Monkey Business - Luther Dickinson

11. Havana Moon - Sonny Landreth

12. Promised Land - Tinsley Ellis

13. Downbound Train - Alex Skolnick

14. Maybelline - Richard Fortus

15. School Days - Ally Venable

16. Brown Eyed Handsome Man - Josh Smith/Kirk Fletcher

17. Reeling and Rocking - Tommy Castro

18. Let It Rock - Jimmy Vivino

19. Thirty Days - Albert Castiglia

20. My Ding a Ling - Kid Andersen

Saturday, October 12, 2019

#412 : Odds Lane - Lost & Found

2019 – Gulf Coast Records

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 12, 2019

Odds Lane, the St. Louis blue-rocking duo on Mike Zito’s new label, Gulf Coast Records, has surely caught my attention with their new album Lost & Found. Formed nearly sixteen years ago by multi-instrumentalist Doug Byrkit and drummer/percussionist Brian Zielie, this song-writing duo has been friends since 8^th grade. Lost & Found is inspired by their work with Zito on his Blue Room album, which is now celebrating its 20^th anniversary with a remastered release on Ruf Records.

The driving pulse of “Blood on the Van” sinks its claws in fast, and holds steady while greeting the listener with a great big dose of rockin’ blues. I love the gritty rhythm and the enormous punk beat which frames “Don’t Give it Away”. “Moth to a Flame” reaches into the territory of Southern Rock, and is quite reminiscent of the Muscle Shoals sound. The slide guitar on this sounds great, and the song has a playful-energetic groove. Another favorite, “White Castle Blues”, is a searing tribute to those wonderful, little, square burgers I have been known to trek out of my way score a sackful. Afterall, “The crave is a powerful thing”, and so is this album.

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For more information about the artist, visit their website: oddslane.com

Friday, July 12, 2019

#400 : Ruf Records - 25 Years Anniversary

2019 - Ruf Records

by Phillip Smith; July 12, 2019

To commemorate the 400^th PhillyCheeze’s Rock & Blues Review, I want to shine some light on the special 25 Years Anniversary disc from Ruf Records. This is one hell of a collection. This edition contains both a 14 track CD, and a 12 video, 62-minute DVD . The CD features a ton of music from Ruf’s most recent releases, while the DVD delightfully spans their entire era, going back to the Luther Allison days.

After seeing Ruf’s Blues Caravan last year in 2018, I was happy to see the disc containing songs by Ally Venerable, Mike Zito, and Bernard Allison who all shared the stage at the 2^nd annual Czech Village Blues festival, here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa last August. Ally rips it up on guitar and belts out the title track to her latest album, “Texas Honey”. Zito’s song is also the title track for his latest, “First Class Life”. I love the slide guitar on this one. The swampy, funky goodness of Bernard’s “Backdoor Man” is so enjoyable. Vanja Sky, who played on the European legs of the caravan, gives us the smokin’ blues in “Hard Working Woman”.

Ruf also includes the sultry “Chills and Fever” from the wonderful Samantha Fish, and Ina Forsman’s exquisitely danceable ’ “Get Mine”. For the classic blues-head, there is “Low Down“ from The B.B. King Blues Band, and hardcore soul music fans will surely dig “Deep in my Soul” from Big Daddy Wilson. Also nice to hear, is my favorite Savoy Brown song from the past few years, “Why Did You Hoodoo Me”. It definitely cuts to the bone.

The DVD begins with a spectacular performance of Denmark’s Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado fabulously performing “If You Wanna Leave”. It’s so cool to see Mike Zito, Devon Allman and Cyril Neville jam together on “Moonlight Over the Mississippi”. Oli Brown’s driving blues-rock anthem “Here I Am” is captivating. From the 2019 Blues Caravan, there’s a terrific video of Katarina Pejak, Ina Forsman and Ally Venable covering the classic Stevie Ray Vaughan song “If the House is Rocking”, and they sound great. For a wonderful song to close with, Luther Allison soulfully sings “Living in The House of Blues”.

Ruf Records 25 Years Anniversary should be in the collection of every blues fan. It is a powerhouse of a retrospective.

Associated PhillyCheeze Reviews include:

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2017/06/thorbjrn-risager-black-tornado-change.html

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2014/06/thorbjrn-risager-black-tornado-too-many.html

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/08/347-czech-village-blues-aug-11-2018.html

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/07/344-vanja-sky-bad-penny.html

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/06/395-big-daddy-wilson-deep-in-my-soul.html

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2019/03/384-bb-king-blues-band-soul-of-king.html

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/03/322-victor-wainwright-and-train-self.html

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2018/01/313-bernard-allison-let-it-go.html

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2017/09/savoy-brown-witchy-feelin.html

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2017/04/samantha-fish-chills-fever.html

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2016/02/ina-forsman-ina-forsman.html

Sunday, August 12, 2018

#347 : Czech Village Blues - Aug 11, 2018 featuring Ruf Record's Blues Caravan

Czech Village

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

All photos by Phillip Smith; Aug. 11, 2018

I am so thrilled and amazed to see how Czech Village Blues festival in Cedar Rapids has expanded and grown in just its second year. Again, the Linn County Blues Society has joined together with the Friends of Czech Village to keep this wonderful blues event going. It was incredible to see the musical talent and dedication to the blues presented on the Youth Stage by Kristopher Bries, Anderson Coates, Miles Damaso, and Matthew Burger. Accompanied by Iowa Blues Hall of Fame inductees, Tom 'T-Bone' Giblin on keys, and Dan 'DJ' Johnson on bass guitar, they were quite impressive, and did a fantastic job to kick start this years festival which featured Tim@theTrutones , Shane Johnson's Blue Train, and Ruf Records' Blues Caravan presenting Bernard Allison, Mike Zito, and Ally Venable.