Mike Zito Resurrection

Mike Zito
Resurrection
Gulf Coast Records

About his new album "Resurrection," Mike Zito states that it "is an album of feelings, emotions, and is very personal. The title track is how I once almost lost my love, but it came back stronger than ever. I have had this song in me for years, but it only makes sense now to share it with the world. After the year we have had on planet Earth, I believe we all need a rebirth. This rebirth has given me an opportunity to be who I want to be musically and artistically." Joining Zito on this album are some musicians who've played with him for the last several years, including Matthew Johnson – drums; Doug Byrkit - bass guitar; Lewis Stephens – piano, organ; Zach Zito - acoustic guitar; and Lisa Andersen - backing vocals. Eric Demmer is on saxophone, and Fernando Castillo on trumpet where heard.

While often described as a blues-rocker, there is more rock than blues on this album to these ears. This comment is simply descriptive. Zito sings with vitality and can shred with the best of him. More importantly, he does write good songs and performs with heart and heat. There is a Tom Petty flavor on the opening cover of J.J. Cale's "I'll Make Love To You." In addition to his saw-toned slide guitar, Demmer rips off an intense bit of hot honking tenor sax. There is much more rock energy elsewhere on this recording, such as "Don't Bring Me Down."

Other tracks include a hard rock cover of Blind Faith's "Presence of the Lord." Zito may not be Stevie Winwood, but he acquits himself well with his vocal while adding searing guitar. "When It Rains" is a bluesy number with a relentless rhythm and atmospheric horns. I am not fond of the head rock arrangement of Howlin' Wolf's "Evil." Zito's vocal strikes this listener as overwrought here, although Stephens' organ is noteworthy. Not everything is hard rock or blues-rock. "In My Blood" has a low-key, restrained backing to complement Zito's understated singing.

About the title track, Zito says, "The title track is how I once almost lost my love, but it came back stronger than ever." It is a powerful track with solid lyrics and passionate singing. It closes an album that will have considerable appeal to those who like their music rocking.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is the title track.

Kevin Burt - Stone Crazy

Kevin Burt - Stone Crazy - Gulf Coast Records

About Kevin Burt's prior album "Heartland & Soul" (Little Village Foundation), I observed, "Listening to Kevin Burt, one is reminded of Ted Hawkins, a similar acoustic singer-songwriter who had deep rhythm and blues roots. Whereas Hawkins displayed a strong Sam Cooke influence, Burt evokes Bill Withers with perhaps a dash of Al Jarreau. Withers is one of Burt's cited vocal influences along with Aaron Neville, Bobby Bland, Luther Vandross, and Marvin Gaye." "Stone Crazy," Burt's new release, is on Mike Zito's Gold Coast Records, and this observation still holds true.

While the press release for this recording lists ten songs, my download included eleven. Burt wrote all but the cover of Bill Withers' "Better Off Dead." Backing Burts, vocals, harmonica, and guitar are producer Mike Zito on guitars, Doug Byrkit on bass guitar, Matthew Johnson on drums, Lewis Stephens on keyboards, and Jimmy Carpenter on saxophone. 

There is a nice mix of tunes and themes ranging from the down-home harmonica and funky groove of the opening "I Ain't No Problem With It" to the easy shuffle blues, "You Get What You See," with Carpenter adding his sax to some nice guitar. "Purdy Little Thang" has an insistent, simple groove, while the title song is an island breeze soulful love song. "Same Old Thing" is a choice blues about her loving someone else, while another soul ballad, "Something Special About You," has him singing about he wants to make someone his lover. There is also a solid rendition of Bill Withers' powerful "Better Off Dead," about a person whose addictions lead to his marriage breaking up and the line "she's better off without me, and I am better off dead now that she is gone." 

"Stone Crazy" seems certain to expand Kevin Burt's fan base. A mix of strong material, first-rate playing, and exceptional soulful singing make this another choice release from him.

I received a download to review from a publicist. This review has appeared in the May-June 2021 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 396). Here Kevin Burt performs "Stone Crazy."

A Gulf Coast Christmas

Various Artists
A Gulf Coast Christmas
Gulf Coast Records

Mike Zito is one of the forces behind Gulf Coast Records, which has quickly established itself with a number of releases of blues, blues-rock, and roots. This new recording is a collection of Holiday Season covers and originals but the label's growing group of artists. The album has songs by Mike Zito, Albert Castiglia, Kat Riggins, The Proven Ones, Mark May, John' Blues' Boyd with Lisa and Kid Andersen, Diana Rein, Kevin Burt, LeRoux, Jimmy Carpenter, Billy Price, Sayer and Joyce, Thomas Atlas, Odds Lane, and Tony Campanella.

Like many blues and roots holiday music collections, this collection's songs have secular themes instead of carols and hymns' renditions. This collection also provides an overview of the artists on the label. Folks may find some of the performances more compelling than others. Overall, I was impressed by the performances' quality, with a few exceptional ones in the mix. Sure there will be some performances that don't catch your ear, but overall this is a highly entertaining compilation.

Songs range from the blues-rock of Mike Zito's "All I Got For Christmas Is The Blues," to Tony Campanella's soulful reworking of Albert King's recording, "Santa Claus Wants Some Loving." Albert Castiglia stands out with his high energy fretwork on "Somebody Stole My Chris," while Kevin Burt lays down some down-home grit for "Please Mr. Santa Claus." Billy Price lays down some terrific blue-eyed soul on "Christmas Comes But Once A Year," while John Blues Boyd duets with Lisa Andersen on "Merry Christmas Baby," as Kid Andersen plays some sterling guitar. Another duet of note is between Mark May and Miss Molly on "Blue Christmas."

Mike Zito channels Chuck Berry on a frenetic "Run Rudolph Run" that closes the 16 performances that is full of bluesy holiday cheer.

Incidentally the download I received from a publicist to review only contained the music. I did not receive information on the personnel or other recording information. Here is the full track-listing: 

1. All I Got For Christmas Is The Blues - Mike Zito
2. Somebody Stole My Christmas - Albert Castiglia
3. Please Mr. Santa Claus - Kevin Burt
4. Christmas Comes But Once A Year - Billy Price
5. Blue Christmas - The Proven Ones
6. Back Door Santa - Jimmy Carpenter
7. It Ain’t Christmas - Kat Riggins
8. Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin - Tony Campanella
9. Merry Christmas Baby - John Blues Boyd / Lisa Andersen / Kid Andersen
10. Ring The Bells - Diana Rein
11. The Bluest Christmas - Mark May / Miss Molly
12. Who Da Baby Daddy? - LeRoux
13. Christmas Is Cancelled - Thomas Atlas
14. Santa Claus Is Back In Town - Odds Lane
15. Please Come Home For Christmas - Sayer and Joyce
16. Run Rudolph Run - Mike Zito

Here is a video for Mike Zito's "All I Got For Christmas Is The Blues."

Jimmy Carpenter Soul Doctor

Jimmy Carpenter
Soul Doctor
Gulf Coast Records

About Jimmy Carpenter's last album, "Plays the Blues" (VizzTone), I wrote that "Carpenter plays plenty of rousing, raspy saxophone in a Junior Walker-King Curtis--Boots Randolph vein throughout and, if not a great singer, is likable with an unforced delivery… ." Carpenter has a lengthy career in the blues and roots-rock scene, including stints with Jimmy Thackery, Walter 'Wolfman' Washington, and most recently with Mike Zito. Presently residing in Las Vegas, Carpenter leads his own band and plays with numerous others. He also is the Musical Director for the Big Blues Bender and leader of the Bender Brass, The Bender's house band. This new release is on Golf Coast records, a label Zito co-founded.

On this recording, Jimmy has assembled a first-class studio group. In addition to Carpenter on saxophone and vocals, there is Cameron Tyler (drums/percussion/background vocals), Jason Langley (bass), Trevor Johnson (guitar), Chris Tofield (guitar/background vocals), Red Young (keys), Carrie Stowers (background vocals), and Queen Aries (background vocals). Guesting on this album are guitarist Nick Schnebelen, The Bender Brass (Doug Woolverton (trumpet), Mark Earley (baritone sax)), Al Ek (harmonica), and Mike Zito (guitar).

Based on the seven originals, Carpenter has become quite a songwriter. The album opens with the title track with a striking lyric, "Who says the book of love was written in one night/ Who filled it up with empty pages said what's wrong and right/ So many have wagered on the lottery of life/ They opened up their hearts just to be cut down like a knife." Carpenter impresses with his singing here and elsewhere on this album. On this song, he takes a couple of tough rackety yak sax solos. Nick Schnebelen's guests on this track, although these ears founded his playing a tad busy. That is one of two songs that Carpenter wrote with Guy Hale, the other co-founder of Gulf Coast Records. The other song, "Wrong Turn," has Jimmy on guitar with Trevor Johnson playing some blues-rock slide guitar and Al Ek adding some sax-sounding harmonica. Carpenter's vocal sounds distorted and maybe his least appealing singing here. Much better is the relaxed rock and roll shuffle blues "Wild Streak." In addition to some persuasive singing, catch lyrics, Red Young contributes some rollicking honky-tonk piano while Mike Zito adds a searing slide guitar solo.

The autobiographical lyrics of "Love It So Much" is set to a second-line groove as Carpenter celebrates the musician's life on the road, while the Bender Horns add their punch. The finest blues performance is his cover of Little Willie John's "Need Your Love So Bad," with Carpenter's passionate singing and his band's outstanding support. It also may have his best tenor sax solo on the album. An instrumental rendition of The Clovers' "One Mint Julep" also spotlights his tenor sax, although more in a King Curtis-Junior Walker vein. Red Young adds some greasy organ here. Another instrumental is "LoFi Roulette," with Chris Tofield adding searing guitar to Carpenter's gutbucket sax.

A soulful rendition of Eddie Hinton's "Yeah Man" closes this album. Jimmy Carpenter has matured into an expressive, passionate singer and songwriter, and he has produced a very satisfying blues and roots recording.

I received my review download from a publicist. Here Jimmy performs the title track.

Billy Price Dog Eat Dog

Billy Price
Dog Eat Dog
Gulf Coast Records

It has been at least four decades since Billy Price and the Keystone Band issued their first album. After relocating to Baltimore from Pittsburgh, Price remains quite active with his deep blue-eyed soul. He traveled to Kid Andersen's Greaseland Studios to record this latest recording. He has quite a studio band including Andersen on guitar and assorted instruments, Alex Petterson on drums, Jerry Jemmott on bass, Jim Pugh on keyboards, Eric Spaulding on tenor sax, Jack Sanford on baritone sax, and John Halblieb on trumpet. Congas are present on most selections and played by Jon Otis (one of the late Johnny Otis' sons and Vicky Randle. Randle was also one of the background vocalists along with Lisa Leuschner Andersen, Charlie Owens and the Sons of the Soul Revivers. There are also guest appearance from Rick Estrin, Alabama Mike, and Mike Zito, who is Gulf Coast Records co-founder.

Standout tracks on this include the original "Lose My Number" as he tells his former lover that she can forget about him, as he is still hooked. Then there is a brassy, strutting interpretation of Bobby Byrd's "We're on Love." The title track was written by Rick Estrin who adds chromatic harp and solos superbly. Alabama Mike adds his powerful singing to that of Price on a topical blues about trying to make it in a world where they sing describing various social ills. Price's cover of Otis Rush's "My Love Will Never Die" gets to showcase Andersen's incisive guitar as well as the horn section. "All Night Long Café" is a funky original with Mike Zito adding some searing guitar. French guitarist Fred Chapéllier, t, a frequent collaborator with Price, co-wrote the cheating blues "Remnants," and the soulful ballad "More Than I Needed." The latter number evokes the classic Philadelphia soul sound.

"Dog Eat Dog" is another well-produced and solidly recorded new release adding to Price's fine body of recordings.

I received as a download from a publicist. Here he is from a recent performance with his Charm City Rhythm Band.