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I give this CD, my highest rating, Five *****
Excellent CD... Thoroughly enjoyed it... Highly Recommended...
There is one glaring problem that all whom listen to Mike Zito's new
album
"Pearl River", will no doubt notice, that being that this release is
just not long enough. Yes even at 55+ minutes, Mike Zito's "Pearl
River", is simply going to leave you wanting more.
"Pearl River" is an Album that sounds like it was soaked in the Blues,
rinsed with Rock N Roll, and dried with a towel laced with Soul, thanks
in part not only because of Mike's magic, but also the magic brought to
this Album by it's special guests performers, namely, Reese Wynans
(Double Trouble), Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne and Susan Cowsill.
"Pearl River" is an exceptional follow-up to his Eclecto Groove Records
debut "Today", and leaves you with the feeling that although Mike may
not yet be the King of his style, he is certainly in line for the crown,
and will no doubt be wearing it one day.
(John Vermilyea Blues
Underground Network) Other Reviews and Info
Mike Zito's passion for music has long been fueled by his
love of guitar and the icons who helped propel the instrument to its
legendary status. 2008 saw the release of Zito's national debut Today on
Eclecto Groove Records which spent a total of six weeks on the Billboard
Blues charts and received multiple spins daily on Sirius/XM Radio. Now
Zito returns with his follow up effort Pearl River, produced once again by
David Z (Prince, Buddy Guy, Etta James, Jonny Lang) and joined by special
guests Reese Wynans (Double Trouble), Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne and
Susan Cowsill. The result is a rollicking slice of Americana served up
with heaping slabs of greasy New Orleans funk, gritty blues and good old
fashioned rock 'n' roll. Amazon.com
Zito's big league debut, last year's critically-acclaimed Today, was a fine collection of blues, soul, and roots-rock that this critic called "a solid, entertaining work with more guts, passion and soul than 99% of the pop music that will be released this year." Pearl River is Zito's follow-up to last year's musical triumph, produced once again by David Z (Buddy Guy, Etta James), 'cause if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Double Trouble's Reese Wynans guests along with Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne and Susan Cowsill. Look for Pearl River to showcase more of Zito's soulful vocals and even more of his confident six-string skills. (Release date: 09/22/09)
About.com
(Blues)
Tracklist
1. Dirty Blonde
2. Pearl River
3. Big Mouth
4. Change My Ways
5. Eyesight To The Blind
6. One Step At A Time
7. 39 Days
8. Shoes Blues
9. The Dead Of Night
10. Sugar Sweet
11. Natural Born Lover
12. All Last Night
13. C'mon Baby
Listen to Samples Here
About Mike Zito
Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, Zito was immersed in the gritty sounds of the south side that would unknowingly become the groundwork of his future in music. Like the legends before him, music has coursed through his veins from the early age of five, when he began singing and performing. It didn’t take long for him to discover his instrument of choice – electric guitar – after receiving a Van Halen record for his birthday. His education and journey were just starting – little did he know he would find himself among such legends at a local guitar shop just out of high school. “Everyone from Chuck Berry to Bennie Smith came in that store,” Zito shares of his experience. “I soaked up the sounds of that store and began building my own style.”
Zito’s journey took off at the age of 19, when he busted into the local St. Louis music scene, developing his sound even further from the stage. His first independent release arrived in 1996, titled “Blue Room” which included raw and funky songs “Hollywood” and “Pull the Trigger”. His songwriting experience would break through on his sophomore release titled “America’s Most Wanted” in 1999. This album shares his pop sensibilities and intense guitar work. "Crazy People", "Deal Me In" and his own rendition of Elton John’s "Rocket Man" all set the pace to bring him into a national audience.
His touring schedule found him crisscrossing the country as well as performing a regular dose of 6 nights a week in and around St. Louis when not on the road. He would also have the opportunity to play overseas for the USO during that same time period. With such a crazed schedule and lifestyle, drugs and alcohol took their effect on him. Zito was sliding downhill fast. Walter Trout pulled Zito aside one night after a show and explained to him that he had been down that path himself, and that it was no good. He told Zito about the responsibility he had to the music and to the people to perform honestly and unaffected. His abilities suffered and he drifted around the country a bit lost and confused, ending up in Southeast Texas. Zito fell in love with his now wife and had found the love and support to help him clean up and refocus on his career.
With a clean slate and real world experiences to include in his songwriting, Zito released “Slow it Down” in 2004. Including songs like “Long Dark Road,” “Change My Ways” and the title track, “Slow it Down” Zito share what life experiences had taught him. He formed a new solid band and began again playing full-time across the country with over 250 shows in 2005. “Music can change everything…how you feel, how you see and what you believe,” Zito explains.
He would find his true sound from all his experiences, new and old, and release his fourth album, “Superman” in 2006. Touted as “Soulful pop ” critics would pen it as Zito’s sound with his voice and vocals rising above the music. His formative influences blend with additional musical heroes and legends such as Prince, Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, SRV, Walter Trout, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Danny Gatton, and even rising artists like John Mayer. His journey has lead him to a critical point in his life and career to a larger audience and sharing the stage with national recording artists such as Chuck Berry, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Tab Benoit, Walter Trout, Bernard Allison, Coco Montoya, Joe Bonamassa and many more.
In 2007, Zito’s path has crossed with Randy Chortkoff of Delta Groove Music. Within months he’s penned a deal and gained full support with Chortkoff’s label Eclecto Groove Records and Rick Booth of Intrepid Artists. With a new chapter of his life unfolding - full label backing, new management and larger audiences, Zito has only begun to scratch the musical surface yet again.
Mike Zito's passion for music has long been fueled by his love of guitar and the icons who helped propel the instrument to its legendary status. 2008 saw the release of Zito's national debut Today on Eclecto Groove Records which spent a total of six weeks on the Billboard Blues charts and received multiple spins daily on Sirius/XM Radio. Now Zito returns with his follow up effort Pearl River, produced once again by David Z (Prince, Buddy Guy, Etta James, Jonny Lang) and joined by special guests Reese Wynans (Double Trouble), Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne and Susan Cowsill. The result is a rollicking slice of Americana served up with heaping slabs of greasy New Orleans funk, gritty blues and good old fashioned rock 'n' roll.
Mike Zito - "Holding Out For Love" (LIVE)
Mike Zito Live @ BB's in St Louis.
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