MIKE ZITO "PEARL RIVER" Source: Southwest Blues Magazine Date: 12/2009 Writer: Bev Wilson

Two counts into Track One of Pearl River and bam! Toes are tappin’, fingers are snappin’ and the infectious swing-beat of “Dirty Blonde Hair” has got your mojo workin’!

Founded on well-written lyrics and appealing melodies, Mike Zito’s sophomore CD release with Eclecto Groove is a solid piece of musical workmanship, neatly presented with superior instrumental support and authentic vocal garnishes throughout.

A direct result of Zito’s personal growth and musical maturity, Pearl River is a well-rounded acknowledgement of the rock and roll, blues and soul music influences Zito brings to his musical performance and songwriting style.

Credit Zito with authoring eight of the 13 tracks, and he deserves credit for his ability to incorporate variety into not only his lyrics, but in subtle beat variations, chord choices and guitar riffs. From the frisky “Big Mouth” and promising vows of “Change My Ways,” through the lonely countdown of “39 Days” and repeated pleas to “Come On Baby,” Zito’s lyrics are consistently fresh, yet enduring.

His toy-piano lead-in to the saunter of “The Dead of Night” is cutesy-clever, and the addition of Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone’s accordion brings a touch of Cajun seasoning to the mix. Of course, Zito’s guitar prowess is prominent throughout, and is particularly rousing on the sultry-raunchy “Natural Born Lover”.

Most notably, Zito’s artistic collaboration with Clyde Neville on the title track, elicits a hauntingly beautiful, yet historically horrific musical accounting of slave-era injustices in Southern Louisiana. Sadly, historical events like those are omitted from historical teachings, and this is a story that needs to be told! Neville’s heartfelt vocals are authentic renderings of victims and their mourners alike.

Backed by Lonnie “Popcorn” Trevino (bass) and Reese Wynans (keyboards/Double Trouble), Zito includes the talents of New Orleans musical stalwarts Eric Bolivar (drums/percussion); Susan Cowsill in a rocking duet on “Shoes Blues,” and guitarist/songwriter Anders Osborne, showcasing his original, “One Step at a Time”.

Zito covers Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Eyesight to the Blind” and Mel London’s “Sugar Sweet” with respectful authenticity, and imports some of Richard “Lynwood Slim” Duran’s West Coast harmonica loneliness to accent their rendition of George Smith’s “All Last Night”.

Zito’s return to the ancestral land settled by his Sicilian grandfather apparently sparked an inner desire for self-validation, a sense of purpose and connection to his musical roots. Relax Mike. The destination is in the journey and I don’t see you needing a roadmap anytime soon!