Thunder
in My Blues
Detroit bluesman Luther Badman Keith is preparing for release of
his second CD, Thunder in My Blues, which will go on sale in spring
of 2003. Keith, who released his first CD in 1999, has hit the Detroit
blues scene like a firestorm since he made his professional debut
four years ago. He has won over legions of fans with a high-energy,
no-holds barred performing style and his original and creative songwriting.
All of those skills are on display on Thunder in My Blues, the title
track, and 12 other tunes that will be on the new CD. A sampling six
tracks of the CD can be reviewed belw.
Thunder in My Blues mixes blues, rock, soul and fnk in Keith's unique
style, aided by the horn arrangements of James Payton, the powerful
drumming of Milton Heavyfoot Austin, the dynamic bass playing of Darryl
Lee and the sterling keyboard work of Jim David.
Free mp3 Samples:
The
CD was a labor of love by Keith, who was introduced to the blues by
the late Luther
Allison
years ago. Keith had never thought of playing music until he saw a
live Allison performance around 1980. He took up the guitar and later
jammed with Allison. The song "Luther" was written for Allison,
who died in 1997, and the CD is dedicated to his memory.
Keith, a professional journalist by training, wrote all the songs
on the CD and helped write the tune Get Along with other band members.
The CD, Badman, features 13 all original songs and 68 minutes of rocking
original music.
The CD also features the talents of keyboard players Jim
David
and Billy
Harris;
saxophonist James
Payton,
who arranged the horns; Mark
Croft
on trumpet and background singers Miata
Keith
and Diana
Balsama.
What
the critics are saying about the Badman CD
"He
definitely has his own style, a unique sound. The CD sort of keeps
you on the edge of blues, funkadelic, Motown City-blues plus flavor,
soul and even a detection of the Motown sound. The music is mainstream
and definitely crossover material."
---
Carmen Carter, The Michigan Post
"The music is a mix of soul, hardcore and commercial blues. But
with playful lyrics about such subjects as his handling of a childhood
bully and a spicy love interest, along with notable guitar skills,
Badman's sound is made fun and exciting for all."
---
City View Magazine, June 8
"... a set of well-crafted original songs."
---
Living Blues Magazine
"His style is somewhere between the Chambers Brothers and Screamin'
Jay Hawkins. These songs are "in your face" proclamations
of who he is and what he wants....... His unique shouting blues style
sets him apart from other performers"
---
Wolfgang Spider, Blues Notes (Detroit Blues Society), October 1999
"Detroit bluesman Luther Keith didn't start playing guitar until
he was past 30, but he took it on large fashion Badman (self-release)
is a fast-paced batch of fun songs with high-energy vocals. Perhaps
because he's a relatively new player, his tunes gleefully reject the
staid blues box and simply groove.
Best Cut: "Barbecue Baby," a slow-dive blues highlighted
by Keith's raw, moving leads.""
---
Blues Revue, October 1999
"... scorching guitarist with rich tenor vocal character"
---
Big City Blues Magazine
"Keith's blues will never bring you down. This is fun blues and
you just have to share Luther's enthusiasm as he sings and plays guitar
commendably on such tunes as Barbecue Baby, Get Along and Personal
Trainer."
---
Steve Holsey, entertainment columnist, the Michigan Chronicle
"The self-produced Badman features 13 tracks of Keith's unique,
heartfelt and frequently tongue-in-cheek originals (one composed with
his band) along with some wonderful horn arrangements by Detroit sax
man James Payton. It's a release to proud of. Check it out."
---
Wendy Case, music writer and critic for The Detroit News
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