The former Atlanta guitar teacher (and owner of Roger Wilson Guitar Studio) turned sports producer, DJ and CNN newsroom producer's third CD continues the blues-rock vibe that can also be found on Wilson's two previous releases.
"The Business of the Blues" contains a mixture of electric and acoustic guitar driven tunes as well as some decent straight blues ("Trouble in Mind," John Lee Hooker's "Boom Boom"). Other covers include Freddie King and Sonny Thompson's "San Ho Zay," J. Miller's "Sugar Coated Love," McKinley Morganfield's "Honey Bee" and a traditional acoustic arrangement of the classic folk song "I Know You Rider."
Joining Wilson-who has played the guitar since the age of nine-on the CD is bass guitarist Marvin Mahanay, drummer Tim Gunther, "Chicago" Bob Nelson on harmonica and back vocalist Francine Reed.
This is a fine CD that is filled with nice guitar phrasing (Eric Clapton, Elmore James) as well as some excellent harmonica playing by Nelson. But what also makes this CD work and worth the price of admission is its mixture of acoustic and electric blues in various blues styles and tempos. There's a little of something for everyone here; some Texas blues, Delta blues, Chicago blues and even a little rock 'n' roll thrown in for good measure.
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This review is copyright © 2000 by Matt Alcott, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.