MIKE ZITO "PEARL RIVER Source: About.com Date: 10/2009 Writer: Rev. Keith A. Gordon

Yeah, now we're talking! While the major labels are still trying to finalize their 4th quarter release and marketing schedules, the largely-independent blues labels use the months of September and October to slap their best efforts on the table in an attempt to draw a few of your music dollars towards their wares. As such, we're beginning a wild train ride this month, with new stuff from talents like Corey Harris and Joe Louis Walker as well as newcomers, blues legends, and select album reissues; here's what you'll be listening to in September!

Zito's big league debut, last year's critically-acclaimed Today, was a fine collection of blues, soul, and roots-rock that this critic called "a solid, entertaining work with more guts, passion and soul than 99% of the pop music that will be released this year." Pearl River is Zito's follow-up to last year's musical triumph, produced once again by David Z (Buddy Guy, Etta James), 'cause if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Double Trouble's Reese Wynans guests along with Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne and Susan Cowsill. Look for Pearl River to showcase more of Zito's soulful vocals and even more of his confident six-string skills.