MIKE ZITO Source: Blues In Britain Date: 09/2009 Writer: Mick Rainsford

Rating: 9

Mike Zito’s follow-up to his impressive debut CD “Today” is yet another wonderful slab of Americana albeit with a distinctly bluesier, and often, Crescent City feel.

Once again the focus is on his song-writing, with eight originals and one number co-written with Cyril Neville, one written and performed by Anders Osborne, with the tree covers all being straight blues (but “Zitod”).  His guitar playing is also given a greater (and welcome) presence.  Plus – he is joined by guests of the calibre of the aforementioned Neville and Osborne, Susan Cowsill, Randy Chortkoff, Lynwood Slim and Jumpin’ Johnny Sansome, with the band comprising Reese Wynans, Eric Bolivar (drums) and Lonnie “Popcorn” Trevino Jr (bass).

The set opens with “Dirty Blonde” – a West Coast blues with a distinctive “dirty” James Harman/Kid Ramos feel fired by Zito’s gravely vocals.  Next up is “Pearl River” – a haunting Crescent City blues featuring Neville’s deeply soulful vocals enhanced by Wynan’s wistful keyboards and Zito’s “Claptonesque” guitar which literally cries out in frustration.  “Big Mouth” stays in New Orleans but this time explores it’s funky R&B roots riding a compelling guitar riff over which Zito’s vocals are permeated with a menacing timbre with distinctly accentuated phrasing.

Zito admits to the influence of Clapton, and this shows in the guitar playing on the Cream inspired “39 Days” where his plaintive vocals are laced with anguish – and the broodingly intense “Natural Born Lover” where the buzzing guitar is also permeated with shades of George Thorogood.

“Change My Ways” meld elements of the Stones and Bill Withers – it’s soulfulness enhanced by mellifluous guitar, and haunting backing vocals and keyboards.  Anders Osborne delivers a “Dylanesque” “One Step At A Time” with pensive vocals and guitar –  “Shoes Blues” is an adaptation of “Walking Blues” that introduces the impressive chanteuse Susan Cowsill and is fuelled by broiling piano – whilst the feel of “The Dead Of Night” is heightened by toy piano and spooky, guitar, vocals and accordion (Sansome).

That leaves the three covers – Sonny Boy’s “Eyesight To The Blind” being given the SRV treatment, Chortkoff’s harp and “Spannesque” piano maintaining the true Chicago feel – “Sugar Sweet” is given a soul infused funky edge – whilst George Smith’s “All Last Night”, with it’s tremulous harp (Lynwood Slim), melancholy vocals and sparse guitar is a piece of West Coast blues at it’s finest.