THE CHICAGO BLUES POSSE
Road Time (CBP/self-released)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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The Chicago Blues Posse is back with 11 tracks and a new sound that sets this band apart from an already-crowded local bar band blues scene. Blues in the Chicagoland area is a mere shell of its former self, but the Chicago Blues Posse proves that there is pure gold to be found in Illiana nightspots.

This time out, drummer Glenn "The Wiz" Wierzbicki has recruited vocalist Deb Seitz, "Hollywood" Johnny Cosgrove and Bob Mandarino on guitars and Mike Bailey on bass. Originally formed as a touring band for Son Seals in 1999, the Posse continued to crank out blues that were true to the roots of Chicago blues on their first self-released CD, One Shot Deal. One Shot Deal landed on my list of top blues CDs in 2001, and Road Time is well on the way to one of my favorite blues CDs of 2003.

Seitz' vocals on "You Can Have My Husband" and "It's 2 AM" are ready for the big leagues (and larger venues), but I keep turning up "Route 66" for The Wiz and Bailey's hard-driving rhythm section (and Wiz' great vocals). The Chicago Blues Posse works through songs by Otis Rush, J.B. Lenoir, and Lowell Fulson, and I hope this disc gets them some well-deserved Road Time to play for a much wider audience.

Check out new blues diva Deb Seitz' website at www.debseitz.com.

Track List:

You Can Have My Husband * Just a Little Bit * All Your Love * Route 66 * Oreo Cookie Blues * It's 2 AM * Sugar Coated Love * It Sure So Bad * The Mo Jo * Little By Little * Mercedes Benz

[Pick this up at by emailing the Chicago Blue Posse.]

© 2003 - Eric Steiner