Artist: Joe Pitts
Title: Ten Shades of Blue
Like most blues fans today, Joe Pitts crew up on a Classic Rock diet of Eric Clapton, Duane Allman and others. If you can say one thing about John Mayall, Cyril Davis and Alexis Korner, it is that their mission to prolong the blues, and serve it back stateside, was successful. Pitt’s album, ‘Ten Shades of Blue’ is an example of one man’s musical journey that would likely never have launched had England not sheltered the art form in the late 50’s and 60’s.
Neither demonstrative not dismissive, Pitts shows he can growl with the best of contemporary blues artists. As the album title suggests, Pitts covers ten artist that were influential to his musical journey. With an overt background in Classic Rock, there are some songs that play more to a rock audience than a blues audience. Water Trout’s heavy handed, ‘Clouds on the Horizon’ is a prime example of Pitts strapping on the electric guitar mantel. Pitts’ cover of Luther Allison’s, “Pain in the Streets” or Eric Gales’, “Freedom from My Demon’s” are showcases for Pitt to expand on this otherwise laconic styling’s.
Arkansas denizen Joe Pitts has traveled the world playing the blues. It is a journey that most listeners will be able to easily connect with: covers on this album include songs by Peter Green, Elmore James and Muddy Waters. On the tenth track, John Mayall’s, “The World Keeps on Turning” Pitts uses a resonator; adding texture to the album. The album is an above average full band electric sound in performance and arrangement.
Programmers can pick a cover and rest assured that Pitt’s authentic blues delivery will satiate a blues listenership.
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