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Walking with The Kings - DVD/CD

Blue Storm MusicVideo

bluestormmusic.com

“Walking with The Kings” is a two disc set, one DVD and one audio CD, featuring the music of three of the Kings of Blues, Albert King, B.B. King , and Freddie King. This was all recorded live in New York City, at Murray's Street Grill.

This set is jam packed with so many talented musicians and done somewhat like a jam session recorded live. I wish I could have been there, or, at least, I hope someday to see some or all of the musicians on it. This two disc set is really, really good to see and hear.

Ten or so years ago a friend gave me a bootleg cassette called “Texas Tea” by a band called Sunset Heights. At the time, I was told that this was Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s band. Could Kenny's first CD called “Ledbetter Heights” be the band’s name changed a little, I wondered. The answer is “No,” and with this DVD/CD, I started researching and found out I was told wrong. Doing this review and further research helped to reveal the truth. You see Vince Converse is a fantastic guitar slinger who, when he was with Sunset Heights, was compared to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix.

There are several featured artists on this CD/DVD, but Vince Converse seems to be at the head of the pack on this session. Vince is a fantastic guitar slinger, and I could not believe the fret work from this guy. Then, I was able to watch his effortless moves on the DVD. Wow! Double Wow!

All it took was a few words being sung that I realized this was the guy from Sunset Heights and not Kenny Wayne Shepherd. What a voice, and what hot burning licks on the guitar -

Unbelievable! He sounds like he took the best licks from Stevie, Jimi, Albert King, and Freddie, threw them in a pot, melted them over the fire, and poured them over his own Fender Stratocaster. Then out came a sound of his own, the Vince Converse sound, absolutely wonderful and all on a video and a CD to take in the car.

Vince fronts this band for the first four songs: “I Walked All Night Long” by Albert King, “C.C. Baby” by Freddie King, “Gotta Move” by B.B. King, and then another Freddie King cover named “Have You Ever Loved a Woman.” Beyond the DVD, I hope to be able to see Converse live. I would love to see a reunion of this power trio: Vince, Nathanial Peterson on Bass, and Andy Bigan on drums. Andy put together some great licks of his own on drums while sporting a fantastic t-shirt that said "Rock and Roll Saves Lives"

Next up was Nathaniel Peterson who was playing bass and doing a little back up vocals on the first four songs along with the drummer Andy Bigan. He came out center stage to show his stuff after Vince. Nathaniel starts out slow on “The Thrill Is Gone,” by, of course, B.B. King. But, then he shifts into high gear on Albert King’s version of “Killing Floor” and starts percussively pounding those strings until he finally breaks one. When a microphone quit working, he never misses a beat or a word in the song; he just moves over to Vince’s mic to finish. What a fine job! My favorite song on this show by Nathan is “The Sky Is Crying,” doing the Freddie King version, followed by “Everyday I have the Blues/ Sweet little Angel” by B.B. King. There’s “Hootchie Cootchie Man” by Willie Dixon also done in the Freddie King style. While Nathaniel Peterson was still up, they worked in a little harmonica from Speedo Jones doing an excellent job. Speedo, I like your style!

Other artists are Jon Paris on everything: guitar, harmonica, and lead vocals. Clas Ynstrom, "The Jimi Hendrix of Netherlands,” also throws down top notch work.

This DVD/ CD "ROCKS" and is packed with stellar performances by all. I rate this one 5-Stars, so go get it now!.

Reviewer Tom "THE ENERGIZER" Schlesinger is a long time Blues lover and fan, and is a veteran to many Blues Fests in the Midwest and Florida. He is also a veteran to the Legendary Blues Cruises through the Caribbean.

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