Cab Driver Blues is the 2nd solo album from Brazilian guitar great Big Gilson. Gilson is well known in his native country as part of the popular group Big Allanbik, (meaning "Big Whiskey Still" in Portuguese). Based out of Rio de Janeiro, the group has toured in Brazil and America with the likes of Steve Winwood, Johnny Rivers, B.B. King and others. (Not bad!)
On this CD of 11 original songs, recorded at Summet Studios in Dallas, Texas Gilson hooks up with some of Dallas' own musicians, Bobby Chitwood on bass, Tyrone Starks on drums, Alan Ghreen on piano and Hammond B-3 and harpmeister Hash Brown (featured in the last issue of SW Blues) on harmonica. The Brazilian also matches axes with the legendary Bugs Henderson, Kenny Neal and Holland K. Smith. Gilson, Bugs, Kenny, Richard Chalk and Cricket Taylor all contribute vocals on this project.
The first song and title track "Cab Driver Blues" shows off Big Gil's electrifying guitar licks and the band's ability to jam. Without trying to clutter the song with a lot of story and imagery, Gilson fills his first blues with mystery: "Daddy is a cab driver, daddy is a CAB driver, DADDY is a CAB Driver…" and on and on. He let's his music paint the blues and leaves many unanswered questions: did his daddy want to be a cab driver? Was he good at it? Or was he and his family's fate determined by the pockets full of change his faceless fares left behind? It makes you wonder.
The instrumental "Tangerina" is a stand out, starting with the funky Hammond organ to Gilson's many tricky guitar licks. From slow back up riffs to some smoking blues to hard rock solos, Gilson keeps us guessing on this tune.
"Jammin' in Big D" is the group's 6?-minute jamfest and tribute to the one and only Dallas, Texas. Cricket Taylor on lead vocals and Hash Brown on harp accent Gilson's guitar work. The last tune is an acoustic version of the title track, "Cab Driver Blues." Reminiscent of some Robert Johnson guitar work, fans of acoustic blues will enjoy this tune.
