The Lucky Peterson Band featuring Tamara Peterson - Live at the 55 Arts Club- Berlin

Blackbird Music

Premium Package has 3 DVDs plus 2 CDs

DVDs have 26 songs running 215 minutes

CDs have 22 songs running 159 minutes

Rating: Library Quality

Styles: Modern Electric Blues; Traditional Blues; Funk, Soul, R&B

It has been ten years since I have seen Blues phenomenon Lucky Peterson perform live. From scenes in the DVDs, at least one thing has not changed, Lucky still likes to leave the stage in the middle of a song, stroll through the crowd while playing his guitar with a wireless transmitter, and join folks by sitting at their table while still playing. I have a photograph from 2003 of Lucky and me sitting side-by-side on tall barstools, and both of us are playing guitar – his a custom six-string model and mine the finest quality “air guitar” money could buy. Peterson has such an incredible Blues pedigree, and his first ever DVD is so good that it has been nominated for a 2013 “Best DVD for 2012” Blues Music Award.

Born Judge Kenneth Peterson in December 13, 1964, “Lucky” is the son of late Bluesman James Peterson who owned a nightclub in Buffalo NY called The Governor's Inn. There, Lucky performed on organ starting at the age of five and met many a traveling legend, especially Willie Dixon, who took young Judge under his wing. Wearing short pants, the five year old Peterson performed on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” “The Ed Sullivan Show,” and “What's My Line?” Now, playing guitar, keyboards, singing, and writing songs, the quadruple threat shows in this package what a great, animated and passionate performer he is over the DVD’s 22 tracks of variety. His wife, Tamara handles the vocals on several numbers, as well as contributing many songs.

The premium package has three DVDs and two CDs. (Another available package has the CDs only). DVD # 1 is the first set performance, DVD# 2 contains the second set, and the third DVD has behind the scenes, four songs led by second guitarist Shawn Kellerman, an interview, “and more.” The two CDs match the music performed on the DVDs. The packaging itself is absolutely first class, too. An included 20 page booklet contains great photos, profiles of the band members, and a forward by Andreas Hommelsheim, who opened 55 Arts Club Berlin where this concert was filmed. It was filmed March 2012 when Lucky played his first Berlin show in 10 years. Performing with him is his wife Tamara Peterson (vocals), Shawn Kellerman (lead and rhythm guitar), Tim Waites (bass) and Raul Valdes (drums). In a two-and-a-half-hour concert, Lucky Peterson performs his own compositions as well as Blues classics such as “Ta’ Ta’ You,” “Who s Been Talking?”, “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom” and “The World’s In A Tangle.”

The entire night is just one incredible, master performance after another; Lucky, dapper in a three piece suit and hat, and with all his facial expressions, big eyes, and verve is simply spell-binding! Peterson has a smile that could win awards; he is, literally, a born entertainer. The camera work is excellent with close-ups providing images even front row, awe-struck audience members could not see. The sound quality is well above average, and both Lucky and Tamara are in fine voice. Personally, I love Lucky’s burning glass-on-steel slide guitar work on Robert Johnson’s “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom” which continues through Jimmy Roger’s “The World Is In A Tangle” – both played while Peterson is seated in front of the stage to be even closer to the audience. The sets have variety which keeps one on the edge of the seat in anticipation of “what next.” There are moments when band is really stomping it with Shawn Kellerman just wailing followed by a sudden hush allowing Tamara to thrill on vocals, often with Lucky then adding harmony vocals.

Overall, this is an outstanding package well worthy of the BMA nomination and reasonable price-tag. All the right ingredients are there: great music, tight and fun band, excellent sound quality, and great, clear, color film work. For long time fans and newcomers alike, here is a real-deal prodigy fully matured into an entertainer extraordinaire!