Recorded in December 2004, at the bar where they were the house band for over 6 years, this disc showcases the four piece Billy Gibson Band ripping its way through a couple of originals and covers by the likes of Tony Joe White, "Polk Salad Annie", Willie Dixon, "Pretty Thing", Eddie Taylor, "Bad Boy" (warning- long drum solo), and John Lee Williamson (Sonny Boy I), "Early in the Morning". Things kick off quickly with the funky original, "What is Love?", giving a taste of the harmonica party found on the rest of the disc. Gibson is a first rate harmonica player (his gymnastics on "Polk Salad Annie" are particularly impressive) and an adequate vocalist sounding somewhat like Rick Estrin of the Nightcats. All of the cuts clock in at over five minutes giving the band plenty of time to find the groove- and in some cases to beat it to death!! This is particularly true of the covers which isn’t surprising given the fact that most club patrons are drawn to the dance floor by the spark of recognition of old favorites. Once they are there it’s hard to let them go. While this leads to a fun night at the bar it can get a bit tedious for the home audience. But what the hell, a live disc is supposed to capture what it was like at the club and this one does just that. Smitty Links: www.myspace.com/thebillygibsonband
JOHN-ALEX MASON
JOOK JOINT THUNDERCLAP
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
Live in 1967 vol. 2
Anthony Geraci and The Boston Blues All Stars
Fifty Shades Of Blue
THE RUSTY WRIGHT BAND
Live Fire
TAD ROBINSON
BACK IN STYLE
ALBERT COLLINS
LIVE IN MONTREUX, 1992
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