Rick Vito Soulshaker

Rick Vito
Soulshaker
VizzTone

Rick Vito has had quite a career stretching back to the 1970s. He has played or recorded with Bob Seger, Bonnie Raitt, John Mayall, Roger McGuinn, Boz Scaggs, Dolly Parton, John Prine, Delbert McClinton, Roy Orbison, Jackson Browne, and others. Vito also was a member of Fleetwood Mac and fronted Mick Fleetwood's Blues Band for several years. On "Soulshaker," he plays guitar, bass, and keyboards besides singing. He also produced this recording. Charles 'Mojo' Johnson plays drums on nine of the 12 tracks while Rick Reed plays on the other three. Kevin McKendree plays on organ on one track, Mark Horwitz guests on organ and Charles Harrison plays organ on two tracks.

While I understand Vito is well known for his slide work, I did not know what to expect when I started listening to "She's Just Too Fine." It is one of the ten songs Vito wrote or co-wrote. This performance was quite striking with its Jimmy Reed styled boogie groove, Vito's distinctive, focused driving slide guitar and a relaxed, natural vocal delivery. It set the tone for this entire recording no matter whether it was more in a blues-rock vein. His restraint as a singer and a musician adds to the impact of his performances. His ability to create an atmosphere during a performance is heard on "I've Got a Secret." It is followed by the high stepping boogie groove of "I Do Believe," with more dazzling slide guitar.

With Kevin McKendree on organ, he revives the classic Jackie Wilson recording "Doggin' Around," while evoking Santo and Johnny with his playing. Another fascinating instrumental is his original "Soul Shadows" with supportive drumming from 'Mojo' Johnson. "Dancin' Little Sister" is an excellent rock and roll blues taken at a brisk tempo, but not too fast. Vito sings the catchy lyric and dazzles with his slide guitar. The pace gets even hotter on his exuberant gospel, blues-rocker, "I'm Going to Heaven." On "Promise Land," he again returns to a Jimmy Reed groove with some engaging resonator guitar playing against his relaxed singing.

"Soulshaker" closes with a stunning instrumental rendition of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come." Vito's slide guitar tone, his musical ideas, and the restraint he plays with are all exhibited here. Rick Vito impressed this listener with his songs, his singing and sterling musicianship. The result is this fabulous CD.

I received my review copy from Vizztone. This review appeared in the September-October 2019 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 386), although I made minor stylistic changes. Here is Rick performing
"A Change Is Gonna Come."