Kenny Traylor
Tribute
TopCat Records TC0403
Tribute is an album that pays honor and
respect to many artists, not just one. For Traylor, it started out as a tribute to Elmore
James but quickly developed into including many other artists' songs that he and his band
enjoyed playing, as well as some original tunes that showed some of the influences in his
style. What a great CD!
15 solid tracks of very enjoyable blues music played by a consummate blues performer.
Check out how gracefully Kenny handles a tune like BB King's "The Letter" or the
aforementioned Elmore James "My Kinda Woman". It's clear that Traylor deeply
loves the songs and the performers while giving each song his own unique individual
dynamite attack. Likewise on tunes such as the Elmore James tune "Shake Your
Moneymaker" or "She Done Moved". Kenny can burn a barn as they say. What
might be overlooked among all of the covers, and should definitely NOT be, are Traylor's
original compositions. Traylor is a great songwriter. Good lyrics. Great compositions.
Check out the wonderful yet slightly cynical "Love Don't Last" or the excellent
tune "Once Or Twice".
Not only is the songwriting good, Traylor has a fantastically talented group of people
playing in his band. Doug Swancy on drums, John Garza on bass, Ron Jones on Sax (has it
been that long since I did a sax joke?), and Barry Seelen on B3 and piano. Each of these
gentlemen contribute a great deal to the overall sound on the tunes. It's great stuff.
Traylor surrounds himself with a great band and you can't go wrong with that. Check out
the vicious organ and sax solos on the tune "Same Old News".
But on top of all the heaps of praise I am throwing this CD, there is Traylor's vocals
and guitar styling. Kenny Traylor is a great blues performer. Do yourself a great big
favor and seek Tribute out. You will be glad you did.
- Bill Fountain -
Southwest Blues CD Review - February 2004
Current Reviews - 2004 Reviews - available at our store
