Mike Zito – Pearl River

Eclecto Groove – EGR CD 508

Mike Zito, from St. Louis Missouri, makes a living playing guitar, in that 250 dates a year way possible only in the States. His second release from the Randy Chortkoff stable, produced in partnership with David Z, was often recorded “studio live”, and displays Zito’s well honed stagecraft admirably.

This album is a mixture of meaningful and heartfelt songs peppered with obvious crowd pleasers, no doubt tried and road tested. Along with his enviable Strat-tastic guitar skills, Mike oils the progress with deep, rich and husky vocals which never grate. There are also a wealth of collaborators and guests to add interest.

The title track, “Pearl River”, is co-written with Cyril Neville (New Orleans royalty) who also guests vocally on this moodily dark and soulful exploration of the ill fated attempts by slaves to escape via a Mississippi waterway.

New Orleans is well represented on this recording. “Big Mouth” and the Muddy Waters favourite “Sugar Sweet” are given the souped up gumbo funk, with Lonnie ‘Popcorn’ Trevino Jr. taking bass duties, and Zito letting loose some of his fusion licks. Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Eyesight To The Blind” is dressed up as a Big Easy march, with company boss and co-producer Chortkoff supplying the harmonica himself.

There’s no shortage of familiar blues in its many guises either. The opener “Dirty Blonde” is a stonking roadhouse shuffle and there are heavy shades of SRV on “Natural Born Lover” with added Texas slide. “39 Days” displays some slow rock riffery and George Smith’s standard blues, “All Last Night”, includes doleful harp playing by Lynwood Slim and sensitive guitar from Zito, which builds to a crescendo.

Anders Osborne shares vocals on his country strummer “One Step At A Time” and Susan Cowsill duets on the conversational R’n’R stomper “Shoes Blues”, with standout piano from Reese Wynans (Double Trouble), who also provides excellent Hammond organ throughout the record.

“Change My Ways”, perhaps a reflection on Zito’s past troubles, features a very live drum sound from the rock steady Eric Bolivar. “The Dead Of The Night” plays to alternative Americana fairground noir with atmospheric accordion from Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone and “C’mon Baby” is a suitably anthemic show closer.

This is an accomplished and well thought out collection of work from Mike Zito. The playing is of the highest calibre and the songs more than mere vehicles. Hot stuff!

JBBlue