Pete ‘Big Dog’ Fetters is a prolific and impressive player out of Detroit who is as comfortable in solo settings such as this as with a band. As impressive as he is sharing a stage or a disc with like-minded players, it’s in the solo arena that he shines. The 11 tunes assembled for this gem are all self-penned, outside of a killer take on “Oh Suzanna,” but often sound like they could have come out your granddad’s 78 collection. The opening “Who’s That Knockin’,” on which he plays elastic slide lines and the following “Cornfield Cadillac” are just ripe for a great soundtrack, like a blues version of O Brother Where Art Thou? He’s at once muscular and sensitive with the attack and lyrically clever. On “When I Turn 85,” with a melody that recalls Stephen Stills’ “Think I’ll Go Back Home,” he sings “I’m gonna feel old when I turn 85/my teeth will all be gold and they won’t let me drive/I hope I’m still alive when I turn 85.”

His slide work is superb throughout, particularly on “Midnight Train,” the only song on which he plays his equally stunning harp. “She’s the only one I ever cared for/and man I ain’t the cheatin’ kind/when it came to other women/I might as well as just been blind/you know you’re driving me insane/my baby took the midnight train.” “I Won’t Tell,” a train propelled number on which he sings of keeping what he knows to himself, the slide work is superb, and on the delectable “Like You Do” (“Oh pretty mama let your daddy come inside/it’s cold out here and I got no place to slide”) he offers more of the awesome guitar work that has made him one of the standout players on the Detroit scene. This is as good as solo blues gets. Vocals, guitar and not enough harp add up to an A+ effort.

www.petebigdog.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.

More CDs:

"This review is copyright © by the writer and Blues On Stage: 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!

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 of your CD to:

Blues On Stage
PO Box 582983
Minneapolis, MN 55458-2983

E-mail Ray Stiles with any questions.