Peterson is an anomaly in the blues world. He is the only American blues artist currently living in Israel. He started playing guitar at the age of four, and when he was 10 years old, he bought a copy of Riley "B.B." King's "Live and Well" album, and proceeded to learn every note and lick on the record.
Seven years later, Peterson was chosen to tour and record with blues and soul legend Latimore, and he spent the next seven years on the road with him, sharing stages across the United Sates with the likes of Albert and B.B. King, Johnny Taylor, Dorothy Moore and Tyrone Davis.
Years later, while living in New York City, Peterson aced an audition to tour and record with Israel's biggest rock artist, Shalom Hanoch. Since 1991, he has been living in Israel, and is widely known as, "The man who brought the blues to the Middle East."
"Pass It On" is the first international release for Peterson-who pens four original cuts-and is a fine one indeed. The 11-track CD, which was recorded at Zaza, Hamon and Toot studios in Tel Aviv, showcases Peterson's straightforward blues approach that has hints of funk and soul in the backbeat. Highlights include the soulful cover of Buddy Guy's "Snatch It Back and Hold It," with some fine boppin' horn lines and clean guitar grooves, and Lightnin' Hopkin's "Early in the Morning." The original "Don't Do This To Me" influenced this writer to pick up his Gibson and play along.
The rest of the band consists of Eran Porat (drums), Michael Frost (bass), Walter Blanding (tenor saxophone), Nitzan Enhabar (tenor, alto, baritone saxophone) and Itamar Tsiegler (bass, tracks 6 & 9). It is interesting to read Peterson's liner notes and see all of the foreign and American names that earn praise from the adopted bluesman.
E-mail: ppl@inter.net.il
Web: www.ronniepeterson.com
This review is copyright © 2000 by Matt Alcott, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.
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