Delta Groove artists: Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King - Close To The Bone - New Release Review

I have just received a copy of the newest release (available September 18, 2012), Close To The Bone, an "unplugged" recording by Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King. The talented blues duo has assembled a virtual "who's who" of contemporary blues artists for their fresh look at the blues including Randy Chortkoff, Bob Corritore, Lynwood Slim, Big Pete van der Pluijm, Kirk Fletcher, Shawn Pittman, Paul Size, Fred kaplan, Willie J. Campbell, Jimi Bott and jeff Scott Fleenor. Poor Boy Blues, the opening track, finds King singing accompanied by acoustic guitar. Can't Let Go not only adds Bott on drums but Fletcher and Size on acoustic guitars and Pittman on National Steel really playing some pretty hot acoustic riffs (on alternate channels). Keep Her Around gets the whole crew out with Campbell on bass, Chortkoff, van der Pluijm and Corritore on harmonnica's (opposite channels) and Size and Fletcher on guitars. This is likely the best track on the recording, a nice shuffle tune with smooth vocals from King, all the guitar greats playing in concert and the harp kings trading riffs. Get Out There And Get It is a subdued rocker again featuring great guitar work from Fletcher complimenting the duo. Yankin' My Chain is stripped down with only King and Kubeck ... a boogie track that shows what two men can without electricity... smooth vocals, hot riffs... very nice. Drowning In Red Ink is a soulful blues track along the lines of BB Broonzy. King sets the tone and Kaplan on piano adds a soulful solo, Campbell on bass beefs up the mix. There is some really exceptional acoustic guitar blues on this track thanks to Fletcher and smooth acoustic slide work by Kubek. Another particularly strong track. Corritore and Chortkoff are back dueling on No Good Could Come From This and both King and Kubek lay down some cool riffs on this track. Ordinary Man is another cool track and puts me in mind of an old Dave Bromberg blues track. Featuring Bott, Campbell and Fletcher the track takes a jazzy blues direction and sets a cool stage to feature all of the players. Another contender for best track. On Jump The Moon, Fletcher lays down some nice acoustic riffs and Kubek is back on acoustic slide giving the strings a great workout. Mama's Bad Luck Child is a simple straight forward blues track with Kubek on guitar, King on vocal and Slim on harp. This trio shows nice balance and solid skills.This is a strong departure from previous recordings by Kubek and King and one that is bound to solidify existing fans and win them new fans who enjoy a clean, clear stroke at acoustic blues.
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