MIKE ZITO Source: Southland Blues Date: 10/2009 Writer: Jim Santella

A seasoned veteran who’s played the blues-rock scene for more than a de­cade, singer/guitarist Mike Zito gives his sixth album as leader a touch of funk, a bit of swing, a heaping dose of emotion, and plenty of bal­lad charms. He’s a storytell­er who applies a sincere vo­cal allure to each selection, whether original or cover, with deep meaning and dra­matic overtones.

His sizzling guitar adds to each lyric as Zito punches home a thrill or two every time in the same manner that a soldier would fire bullets in order to get his meaning across. This blues­man’s message is crystal clear.

The session features Anders Osborne on acous­tic guitar and country har­mony vocals on “One Step at a Time,” Susan Cowsill as duet vocalist on a swing­ing “Shoes Blues,” Randy Chortkoff on harp for Sonny Williamson’s “Eyesight to the Blind,” Jumping Johnny Sansone on accordion for a soul-searching performance of “The Dead of Night,” Cyril Neville as duet vocal­ist on Zito’s title track and Lynwood Slim on harp for the late George Harmonica Smith’s “All Last Night,” which gives witness to the leader’s superb guitar power. Organ or piano, along with bass and drums, gives the session a strong blues foun­dation that complements each pleasant vocal surprise. Kudos to songwriter and singer Mike Zito for the so­cial conscience he adds to the album with his title track, which includes thought-pro­voking lyrics such as “Pearl River, would you tell how many strange fruits your dark waters washed away?”