I know I don’t speak for all fans of contemporary blues when I say this, but to me no recording is more eagerly anticipated than the arrival of a new CD by Lucky Peterson. Lucky, who is comfortable with many different blues styles, wanted to make a more "Chicago blues" type record here. To do this he enlisted the help of ex-Albert Collins bassist Johnny B. Gayden, ex-Freddie King rhythm guitarist Butch Bonner, and veteran drummer Dennis Chambers. Lucky, as usual, handles all the lead guitar and keyboard chores. The result? What do you think?

Lucky always picks interesting songs to cover and on this new CD many of his fans will be surprised to see the Prince song "Purple Rain" included. He does a good job on it but it’s the old Isley Brothers tune "It’s Your Thing" that really fits Lucky’s style. It’s a perfect song for Lucky because he’s just so damn funky! A cover of the Ray Charles song "Let’s Go Get Stoned" drags a bit and is the one song on the disc that doesn’t quite connect. However, on the old blues classic "Tin Pan Alley," Lucky creates a masterpiece. He sets a somber mood and lets the song unfold in exactly the way it was meant to. I’ve never heard a better version.

The title song "Move" is the kind of hip, progressive blues tune Lucky specializes in. Other originals such as "I’m Back Again," "Play Dirty," and to a lesser extend "Move On You" are all quintessential Lucky Peterson sounds. It’s also nice to hear him stripped down this time with no horns or backup vocals to be found anywhere. He closes out the disc with a couple of instrumentals.

It’s the first week of January 1998 as I write these words.

It is unlikely that there will be a better blues CD than this one all year. There are only a couple of musicians out there who I feel are capable of this kind of work. So this review goes out to blues musicians the world over who are planning to release new Cd’s this year. Try and top this one.

- Bill Harriman

*****

(For Junior Wells)