Andy Santana & The West Coast Playboys w/ Junior Watson
Swingin', Rockin', Jumpin' & Jivin'
(Self Release)
Over the past several years, a distinctive brand of blues emanating
from California has gained popularity with many blues fans. Taking Chicago
blues and adding elements of swing and jazz, artists such as Rod Piazza
and William Clarke have helped define the West Coast blues sound. Veteran
California bandleader Andy Santana has assembled a key group of players
who have been vital to the development of the "West Coast Sound"
and this disc is a result of their efforts. The disc tackles a wide range
of material ranging from swinging blues to tough grooves reminiscent of
early period Fabulous Thunderbirds.
While cover songs predominate the
recording, the band has shown good taste in their song selection, and put
a fresh spin on everything that they try. Santana is a solid vocalist and
a good harp player and acquits himself well on the recording. The guitar
work is in the capable hands of Junior Watson, Rusty Zinn, Coco Montoya
and others. Watson, as always, steals the show with his kamikaze fretwork.
Junior's guitar solos are the equivalent of taking a spin in a Formula
One-race car - full of sudden bursts of speed, unexpected stops and
hairpin turns. On "One Bad Stud," Rusty Zinn demonstrates why
artists such as Kim Wilson and Dave Myers invite him to play on their
recordings. If swinging music performed by guys with upright basses and
arch top guitars is your cup of tea, you must buy this record. The songs
are fabulous, the musicianship awesome and the recording is just plain fun
to listen to. Highly recommended.
- Barry T. Gober -
Southwest Blues CD Review - March 2000
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