© Bluestronomical Publishing Inc. 2009

Steve Guyger
Radio Blues
Severn #4943500442

Blues harp player Steve Guyger fits right in with the Chicago sound made so famous by Paul Butterfield, Muddy Waters and James Cotton. The radio you see on the cover of Guyger's CD Radio Blues is the same radio he had growing up listening to music in the 50’s. It's something you might call an antique. But if it works who cares?

Most of the original compositions on Radio Blues feature Guyger's harp phrasing that would make a veteran like Kim Wilson proud. Having the honor of playing with Jimmy Rogers and Levon Helm isn't too bad of a road education. And when Rick Estrin gives praise in the liner notes, you must be doing something right.

Guyger's whiskey inflected vocals are a perfect match for this package of Chicago Blues in its purest form. And just because his harmonica playing might be comparable to Wilson's, doesn't necessarily mean it's going to sound like the Fabulous Thunderbirds.

The tracks are upbeat in attitude. There's an innocent swing-sway to "Little Rita" with Steve's harmonica dancing like a drunken pixie. There's the cocky swagger of James Cotton harp licks in "Blues Won't Let Me Be”. Not even Paul Butterfield can make "You're So Fine" cruise like a muscle car running on a full tank and not on fumes.

Guyger's harp playing remains flawless enough to put him in the ‘Keeper of the Flame’ category. His chromatic harmonica percolates in the slick reading of "School Is Over”. Guyger opens the time portal to the 50's with a romantic "I Can See By Your Eyes" that just makes you want to hug that special someone. There's a streak of New Orleans in the Little Feat influenced "Oh Red" with its Mardi Gras rhythms. Steve's Bo Diddley impersonations aren't too bad in the roadhouse shuffle of "Hey Little Baby”. There's enough hickory smoke coming from Guyger's harp for a backyard barbeque in "Honey Dripper" that's a booty shaking call.

In an age of posers and wannabees, Guyger stands like a giant in a field that needs more of his kind. And they get fewer by the minute.

- Gary Weeks -


Southwest Blues CD Review - September 2009

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