JB RITCHIE
Power Blues (Teardrop)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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When I first heard that Chicago area bluesman JB Ritchie released a CD consisting mainly of blues classics by Muddy, Elmore, Willie, and the Wolf, I was pretty damned skeptical. I'm not from Missouri, but when it comes to the blues, particularly Chicago blues, you gotta show me. So, I sat back in my big easy chair, crossed my arms like a good skeptic, and turned Mr. Ritchie up. Way up. Ritchie and his band got my attention with "She's Nineteen Years Old," "Trouble No More," "Shake Your Money Maker," and "Little Red Rooster." He's got an awesome slide, and his trio powers through a great set of classic blues. Drummer Marty Binder has toured with Junior Wells and Buddy Guy, and Albert Collins and the Icebreakers. Executive Producer and bassist Frank Bandy (AKA Right Hand Frank) hit the road with Jimmy Rogers and Hip Linkchain. In a nutshell, they've got great chops. Together, they revive some great old blues songs. When I turned up Ritchie's own "Nervous Breakdown" and "You Don't Gotta," it showed me that he could write as well as he could bend notes on his '57 Fender Telecaster. I could quarrel with the absent harp, a staple of many blues bands, but I won't. In JB's hands, "Messin' With the Kid" rocks. I'd also be remiss not to mention how Ritchie slides up and down and all around on "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man," and I hope that Power Blues helps him break out of Chicago real soon.

Track List:

Rocket 88 * She's Nineteen Years Old * Howlin' for My Darlin' * Champagne and Reefer * Trouble No More * Messin' With The Kid * I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man * Shake It For Me * Nervous Breakdown * You Don't Gotta * Little Red Rooster * Shake Your Money Maker

© 2000 - Eric Steiner