MIKE ZITO Source: Suncoast Blues Society Date: 11/2008 Writer: James Kirk

I had never heard of Mike Zito before and figured I would roll the dice as usual. This is a really good release. Zito has a soulful, passionate voice and he definitely knows his way around a six string, too. He reminds me a lot of Johnny Lang at times and the late Sean Costello at others. The first two cuts “Love Like This” and “Superman” definitely have the Lang thing going on. I guess some of that may be partly due to the fact that the CD was co-produced by David Z who produced Lang’s “Wander This World.” He has produced the likes of Buddy Guy and Prince. Maybe that is why Zito includes a pretty cool, ballad-like version of Prince’s “Little Red Corvette.” The other producer, Tony Braunagel has done work for Eric Burdon and Taj Mahal. He has a pretty solid backup band too featuring Hutch Hutchinson on Bass, Braunagel on Drums and Benmont Tench on Keyboards.

Mike Zito grew up in St. Louis where he began singing and performing at the age of five. At nineteen he was flourishing in the St. Louis music scene. Soon he was out on the road touring the country and playing overseas. During this time he managed to get caught up in the downward spiral of drugs and alcohol. He eventually ended up in Southeast Texas, met his future wife and cleaned up his act. I had the pleasure of seeing Mike play at Ace’s Lounge a couple of months ago. This guy has got it going on. He was very humble and appreciative of the small, but rowdy crowd. He blew me away with his guitar playing. He definitely picked up the SRV vibe in Texas. Just listen to “Slow It Down” and “Dirty Things”. This guy is the real deal. I think we will be hearing from him for hopefully a long time. He injects some new blood into the blues scene picking up the torch that the late Sean Costello was carrying. He is opening for Tab Benoit at Skippers on December 19th. Get there early, you will not be disappointed.