JAMES SOLBERG
The Hand You're Dealt (Ruf Records)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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The Hand You're Dealt starts off with a full-throttle, rollicking Build You A Castle, and doesn't let up through 12 tracks of guitar-driven blues from veteran blues guitarist James Solberg, winner of the 1998 Band of the Year at the W.C. Handy Awards. To blues insiders, Solberg is best known as either a member of blues band extraordinaire, The Nighthawks, or as one of the late, great Luther Allison's main players. This fourth CD is his Solberg's best, and that's saying something. The infectious boogie of "You Should Be Rockin' or the Gospel-fueled I'm Goin Home shows Solberg's versatility. Solberg cut his blues chops in Chicago over 30 years ago in West Side clubs, and I'm glad he's played the hand he was dealt. The disc features some great original cuts, and Solberg does a great job covering Bobby Bland's Members Only and Louis Jordan's jump blues Buzz Me. When Allison and Solberg trade leads and vocals on It's Still Called the Blues, this 1994 recording preserves a great blues memory honoring Allison. Sadly, Allison died of cancer three years after this track was recorded, and blues fans are lucky that It's Still Called the Blues captures two musicians finding an elusive blues groove, live. Play The Hand You're Dealt. It's a winner.

Track List:

Build You A Castle * Buzz Me * The Hand You're Dealt * I'm Goin' Home * When's the Last Time * Members Only * What's Comin' Down * Still Called the Blues * You Got Me Knockin' * Ain't It Hard * Funky Woman * Perfect Strangers

© 2001 - Eric Steiner