Joe Pitts - Ten Shades of Blue

Kijam Records

www.joepitts.com

Guitarist/vocalist Joe Pitts gets to pay tribute to various musical influences on his latest release Ten Shades Of Blue.

Though there is no original material it wont matter. Choosing to cover obscure tunes is an excellent decision Joe makes as the tonal variation on songs makes for an interesting package of electric blues.

From laid-back roadhouse grind on "Crosseyed Cat," to the Albert Collins inflections on "Put The Shoe On The Other Foot," Pitts wears the influences on his sleeve that have been constitutional on his musical journey.

Although it is not what you call blistering blues rock, it doesn't mean its tame. You cant say that on Joe's rendition of Eric Gales' "Freedom From My Demons" which cruises on auto-pilot due to Pitts' Gibson smoked blues lines. Very few musicians cover Walter Trout and Joe's take on "Clouds On The Horizon" is just as dark with its slow sinister groove.

Elmore James' "I'm Worried" resembles a second cousin to "Statesboro Blues." It's not hard to see why. Joe's slide bears the imprints of the late Duane Allman. Guest guitarist Terry Bradley guests on John Mayall's "Walkin On Sunset" with slide licks that are an inbreed of Skydog, Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes.