GUITAR SHORTY
I Go Wild (Evidence)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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I went wild the first time I heard Guitar Shorty's new CD on Evidence Records, I Go Wild. This baker's dozen of driving, rocking blues features the flashy guitar wizardry of William David Kearney, better known as Guitar Shorty. Shorty got his start under the watchful eye of Willie Dixon, and went on to tour with Ray Charles, Otis Rush, Lou Rawls, and Sam Cooke in the 1960's. Not a bad musical resume in anybody's book, prime proving ground for a player with Guitar Shorty's fine chops. My favorites on I Go Wild include the full-tilt boogie of "Maybe She'll Miss Me," the slow and sultry simmer of "Just Warming Up," and the longer, funky blues instrumental of "The Netherlands." His band is in fine form, too: Jim Pugh knows just when to fill out a song on his Hammond B-3 along with Chris Hayes' rhythm guitar, and Glenn Letsch on bass and Scott Mathews on drums click like they've been playing alongside Shorty in each of six decades playing the guitar. Go wild over this new disc -- there's quite a sampling of Guitar Shorty's talent, whether it's straightahead boogie, a little funk, or a cruising instrumental.

Track List:

Loosen Up * Coffee & Cigarettes * Maybe She'll Miss Me * If You Can't Lie No Better * Just Warming Up * Go Wild * Don't Stop (I Just Started) * One & Only Man * Life With You * Lesson in Love * Put It All In There * In the Morning * The Netherlands

© 2001 - Eric Steiner