Mike Zito - Blues For The Southside

GULF COAST RECORDS

£17.98

Cat. no: GCRX9036
Format: CD2
Barcode: 661558942725
Release Date: 18 Feb 2022
Genre: Blues

Recorded on November 26, 2021 at the Old Rock House in St Louis, Missouri, and produced by Mike Zito, Blues for the Southside showcases Zito (guitar and vocals) and his stellar band in full fury: Matthew Johnson - vocals/drums; Lewis Stephens - piano/organ; Doug Byrkit – vocals/ bass, with special guests including label mate guitarists Tony Campanella and Dave Kalz, plus guitar wizard Eric Gales

The song list for that special night included tunes from Mike's earlier albums such as First Class Life, Gone to Texas, Make Blues Not War and his Tribute to Chuck Berry, plus his takes on songs popularized by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Tampa Red, as well as a new song, the album's title track.

Mike Zito states that "Blues for the Southside is a special album for me. I have wanted to do a live blues album playing songs from my catalog with my current band for a while now. I wanted to go back to my old neighborhood in South St. Louis to make the recording. That's where it all began for me, where I fell in love with music. I knew friends and family would fill the Old Rock House and bring the energy I was looking for in this recording. I wanted Tony Campanella and Dave Kalz to join me as guests. I grew up with both of these guys playing in the scene in St. Louis in the 1990s. I was surprised by my dear friend Eric Gales who happened to be in town for a rehearsal. He showed up and I got him onstage to do an impromptu version of the original 'Voodoo Chile,' which turned out to be 12 minutes of pure guitar bliss. I am proud of this album and my band.".

Tracks: Intro / Mississippi Nights / First Class Life / Blues For The Southside / Texas Flood / Mike Speaks / Hell On Me / Back Problems / Make Blues Not War / Highway Mama / Love Her With A Feeling / Wasted Time / Voodoo Chile / Dying Day / Life Is Hard / The Road Never Ends / Johnny B Goode