CD REVIEW: BRAD WILSON – Power Blues Guitar Live

CD REVIEW: BRAD WILSON – Power Blues Guitar Live
Cali Bee Music
March 2016
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
8 ½ /10

A superb and sophisticated blues guitarist and singer, my only criticism of Brad Wilson’s otherwise excellent 2015 album Blues Thunder, was the lack of raw fire to the recordings.

Power Blues Guitar Live shows Wilson in his natural habitat – live and on rude form – and highlights the oomph in his playing to excellent effect.

It’s worth noting that Wilson is no Flash Harry: not for him the endless widdling show-off assault on the senses favoured by some. No, his style is more laid back, always serving the song and not the ego, saying as much with what he doesn’t play as with what he does.

Mostly featuring covers of songs by such legends as Willie Dixon, Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, as well as a few originals, time after time Wilson captures lightning in a bottle – best of all on an explosive Sweet Home Chicago and an extended I Just Want To Make Love To You.

Standin’ Around Crying is absolutely scorching, and the album proper finishes with a moody take on the excellent Stormy Monday, before bonus track I’m Still Breathing closes up the shop.

All Wilson has to do now is to capture this fiery live spirit on his next studio album and we’re undoubtedly going to be hearing a lot more from him.

Category: CD Reviews