When in Memphis to see my first Blues Music Awards this May, I joined new friends Peter and Rose and met them at The Rum Boogie Café. Hanging on the ceiling of the café' were guitars given to the club by various bands, there was one from The Eagles and even one from Ronnie Earl. Billy Gibson introduced himself and the band began to play. Billy Gibson proved himself to be quite the showman that day. It was then that I decided to review Billy's most recent studio cd. I didn't learn until later that Billy Gibson was a 2006 Blues Award Nominee for Best New Blues Artist and also named the 2005 Beale Street Entertainer of the Year.

The Billy Gibson Band includes former Albert King Band members David Bowen, guitar and James Jackson, bass; Cedric Keel, drums, and Charlie Wood, keys. Billy plays harp and sings. Billy has a presence and leadership that other musicians want to follow. His relaxed attitude causes the audience to identify with Billy when he is performing. For this album a four piece horn section was added, with two additional backup singers. The horn section includes Scott Thompson, trumpet; Jim Spake, tenor saxophone; Kirk Smothers, baritone saxophone, and Howard Lamb, trombone. Background vocalists are Jackie Johnson, and Z-Da. The horn arrangements were written by Charlie Wood. Guest guitarists include Preston Shannon and Daddy Mack Orr. Jeff Burch has also been added on Percussion.

Opening with "Fireman", written by guitarist David Bowen, this is southern soul at its best. Billy sings "I find them hot and I leave them wet". The horns are hot as Billy funks it up. Better get up and dance and stomp out those flames. The chorus girls are hot too. This song sizzles.

"Mississippi" is co-written by Billy and David. Billy Gibson exudes a southern sexuality as he sings about his love for his home, southern women, and the musicians that helped him learn his craft. "I'm Single", continues that theme "footloose and fancy free, I don't worry about nothin'; I don't let nothin' bother me."

"Too Many Times" highlights Billy's story telling abilities as he has taken what he's learned from country music and applied it to the Blues. "More", is another David Bowen, composition and the rhythm section of James Jackson, bass and Cedric Keel, drums, workout. "Hey Hey Pretty Baby", written by Billy features a great Billy Gibson harp solo but gets even more interesting as it fades. "I Got a Thing for The Voodoo Woman" was written by the late Sam Myers, here each band member gets to solo. "Slowly but Surely" was written by Charlie Wood. Charlie, a Rhodes organ scholar, really gets into a groove.

"Hip Hug-Her" written by Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn, Al Jackson and Booker T. Jones better known as Booker T and The Mg's, provide for a nice bowl of Memphis soul stew. "Sex Appeal" is from Willie Dixon and Billy Gibson has it. He also has a huge amount of talent. He's also the King of Beale Street.

Richard Ludmerer
Director, The New York Blues & Jazz Society
ricdale2@yahoo.com