MIKE ZITO Source: C.W.’s Place Date: 10/2009 Writer: C.W. Ross

Mike Zito has several previous independent releases, along with his 2008 national debut, Today on Eclecto Groove Records already under his belt. Now he’s back with his second label release, Pearl River. On it you’ll find a blues driven style of music that isn’t afraid to also add in some, Americana, roots rock, and New Orleans styles.

David Z. (Prince, Buddy Guy, Etta James, Jonny Lang) who worked as one of the producers on Zito’s last project is back again along with Eclecto Groove Records’ CEO Randy Chortkoff to handle the technical side of things on this project.

Zito’s says that his guitar playing has been inspired by great guitarist like, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. You’ll get to hear a lot of Zito’s blues and roots rock guitar work on the 13 tracks of music that make up Pearl River.

Things get off to an upbeat start with the song, “Dirty Blonde,” a blues rocker about a dirty blonde haired temptress. Track-2, “Pearl River,” was written and performed by special guest artist Cyril Neville.

While I enjoyed all of the tracks that are found on Pearl River several of them did stand out to me. “Eyesight to the Blind,” is one of those songs with its New Orleans and Zydeco blend of musical styles. The song’s title refers to a woman that’s so hot looking that see could make a blind man see.

“One Step at a Time,” is a nice Americana, Roots Rock, spiritual song that features well done duel lead vocals from both Zito and guest artist Anders Osborne. The song talks about laying your burdens down and taking life one step at a time.

“Shoes Blues,” is a nice bluesy rock song that features Zito’s vocals along with guest vocals from Susan Cowsill. “The Dead of Night,” is an interesting song that starts out with a toy piano part and also includes accordion music on it from guest artist, Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone. “All Last Night,” is notable for being a song that lets the instrumentation found on it run free thanks to its running time of 5:27.

“C’mon Baby,” brings this release to a nice ending with its melodic beats and lyrics that talk about the fight that goes on between the head and heart when an old flame that you still have feeling for wants to come back into your life again.
With Pearl River Mike Zito once again proves that he’s a very talented guitar player. While maybe not quite ready yet to be mentioned in the same breath as his guitar heroes mentioned earlier, he’s getting really close to knocking on that superstar guitarist’s door.