The Brothers Curtis (not to be confused with the Curtis Brothers!) are Curtis Marlatt (guitar and vocals) and Curtis Blake (harp). Marlatt's band, Curtis and the Kicks plied their trade across the US before he wound up in the Twin Cities where the Brothers Curtis were formed when he hooked up with Blake.
"It's You That's Got To Go," the first of three originals, opens the album. There is a good balance between Marlatt and Blake. The harp has plenty of attack where it is required, whilst the Marlatt's guitar playing is crisp and to the point. After this comes the footstomping "That's What The Blues Is All About," before a nice version of "Walkin' By Myself" which reminded me of the one the Nighthawks did several years ago.
The Brothers then slow things down a bit for a couple of tracks. "Trouble In Mind" (credited here to Broonzy rather than Richard Jones) is followed by Charles Brown's "Driftin' Blues" where the invitations to the audience had wondering if some of the album was recorded live. The pace is then picked up again a bit for a fine interpretation of "Who's Been Talking?" where Blake's harp playing has some nice jazzy inflections, and Marlatt borrows from Otis Rush's "All Your Love." This is followed by an inspired version of the Stones' "Satisfaction" which is taken at a slower pace than the original.
A brace of original tunes--the 12-bar workout of "Something's Wrong" and "I Made My Girlfriend My Wife" which chugs along nicely--give way to the closing track, "Prodigal Son" (aka "Poor Boy").
"It's You That's Got To Go" shows the Brothers Curtis to be a good blues band. It is bands like the Brothers Curtis that help to keep the blues alive. If you live in the Twin Cities area, you should check them out; if you don't, take a listen to "It's You That's Got To Go" to hear what they have to offer. You may be pleasantly surprised.
www.curtisbluz.com
Buy this CD NOW:
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
"This review is copyright © 2004 by Gordon Baxter, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without permission."
Copyright reuse notice: If you would like to reprint or use this review please include the above copyright notice, contained within the quotation marks, PLUS this statement: "Used with permission." Then send an email to Ray at: mnblues@aol.com indicating how you are using the review or the website page address it will be appearing on. Thanks!
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
Click on this banner to get you new low percent credit card:
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! You can help support this blues website by making a contribution (click on the banner below for details).
Or mail a donation to: Ray Stiles % Blues On Stage, PO Box 582983, Mpls, MN 55458. Thanks!
Web Hosting & Design:
CLICK HERE for Web Design SPECIAL, get your own website for just $75.
The most affordable web hosting and design services available. Click Here
to find out how you can host your current site at Blues On Stage, or how I can help you design your own website!
If you would like your CD reviewed, please send TWO (2) copies, along with promotional material to:
Blues On Stage
PO Box 582983
Minneapolis, MN 55458-2983
E-mail Ray Stiles @ mnblues@aol.com with any questions.