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. I especially like the title cut and "Funky Woman." To blues insiders, James Solberg is best known as either a former member of Eastern seaboard blues band extraordinaire, The Nighthawks, or as one of the late, great Luther Allison's sidemen. He plays like a house afire, and it's classic, electric Chicago blues at its best.

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