CHRIS BEARD
Live Wire (Northern Blues)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Live Wire, Chris Beard's Northern Blues debut, captures the firey New York guitarist at Chicago's Kingston Mines, Blues at the Mall in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and live in the Village Gate recording studio in Chris' home town of Rochester, New York. Comparisons to guitar power houses like Luther Allison and his son Bernard, and to contemporary blues guitarslingers like Michael Hill, Eric Sardinas, Andrew Cummings and Northern Blues labelmate Eddie Turner are appropriate after just one listen. Live Wire, Beard's first self-produced CD and third CD in a storied blues career, features 15 guitar-heavy cuts that just don't quit. He's been anointed "the Prince of the Blues" throughout New York, and his first CD, Barwalkin (JSP Records) earned Chris a WC Handy Award nomination for Best New Blues Artist in 1998. Son of guitarist Joe Beard, Chris' early musical mentors include Buddy Guy and Matt "Guitar" Murphy. When I listen closely to "Tribute to Luther Allison," I hear Chris channeling another Chicago blues inspiration. Chris' toned-down and soulful reading of "A Change Must Come" is among my favorites on this CD for the way Chris' guitar leads float gently atop George Snell's keyboards. Chris Beard tours frequently, and it's a testament to his talent that he's on the road most of the year. Check out some song samples and tour schedules online at www.chrisbeard.org.

Track List:

Born to Play the Blues * Ten Toes Up * It's About Time * Tribute to Luther Allison Pt. 1 * Tribute to Luther Allison Pt. 2 * Caught Up * It's Over Pt. 1 * It's Over Pt. 2 * It's Over Pt. 3 (Bass Solo) * Street of Broken Dreams * Never Had No Blues * A Change Must Come * Can't Walk Away * Lock My Dream * Know Who You Can Trust

© 2005 - Eric Steiner