MIKE ZITO Source: Sonic Jive Date: 09/2009 Writer: Michael Canter

An entertaining mix of rootsy originals, Pearl River is an intricate suffuse of Delta blues, Southern-fried country funk, and roots-rock. Mike Zito is a gifted vocalist and an accomplished song writer, belting out a bevy of bluesier numbers with passion and finesse emphasizing full, throaty vocals.  Zito draws influences and inspiration from the likes of Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan.  Many of the songs propound on standard blues imagery, but Zito offers glimpses of hope through change, self-realization, even salvation.  What makes Pearl River special is Zito's ability to convey those emotions musically as well as lyrically.

This album features a song that could well be the independent blues & roots song of the year. The title song, Pearl River is a fiery composite of delta blues and roots music. Featuring Cyril Neville on vocal accompaniment (he also co-wrote the song), Pearl River is a bayou-bluesy, dusty road eulogy with an emphatic gospel feel.  Zito is at his gritty best vocally and Neville is absolutely regal.  Reese Wynans' sublimely fervent keyboards marinate well with Zito's guitar solos and impassioned vocals. Pearl River will likely spawn a blues/country/rock crossover hit for Zito. 

One Step At A Time is the first single release from Pearl River and features Anders Osborne on acoustic guitar and accompanying vocals.  Here Zito is at his soulful best, raising his stock as a singer/songwriter. Expressive and lively, there is a timelessness to this song; it feels like a standard.   Alternating with him on lead vocals, Osborne offers a more casual style that makes a nice contrast to Zito's intensity and their harmonies are flawless. You'll find One Step At A Time impossible to forget.

Shoes Blues has a funky 1960's Memphis revivalist feel that is deep, raw and reminiscent of the legendary Stax Records signature sound.  Here Zito performs a duet with Susan Cowsill (of The Cowsills fame).  The vocal interplay works well; Cowsill offers heart-felt, country-accented vocals that perfectly underscore Zito's resonant sound, and again, the interplay between Wynans on keys and Zito on guitar is magical.

Other standout tracks include Dirty Blond and Natural Born Lover, both relentless, Texas-blues rave-ups that are roaring and impassioned tributes to some of the most vital, influential, and yet often unheralded figures in blues/rock, such as Jimmie Vaughan, Doyle Bramhill, C.C. Adcock and Guitar Slim.   All Last Night is an unrestrained and vehement blues jam that will melt your CD player.

After four independent releases and his 2008 national debut with Today, Mike Zito is about to embark into somewhat epic territory as Pearl River will surely garner national mainstream and blues/country/roots crossover accolades.  Produced by David Z. (Prince, Buddy Guy, Etta James, Jonny Lang)  and joined by a handful of guests, including Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne, Reese Wynans and Susan Cowsill, Pearl River is Mike Zito's most accomplished work to date. This five-star release comes with our highest recommendation.