By Chyrisse Tabone, Rock At Night Tampa
Album: Mike Zito and Friends Rock ‘n’ Roll-Ruf Records-November 1, 2019
The world lost the Father of Rock & Roll, Chuck Berry, in 2017, but his music lives on and was immortalized in Mike Zito’s latest album (actually #16) entitled Rock N Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry. This time, Zito goes back to his roots and with a little help from some friends, pays homage to Berry in a 20 song album featuring Zito with pals Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, Eric Gales, Robben Ford, Sonny Landreth, Luther Dickinson, Albert Castiglia, Anders Osborne and even Chuck’s grandson, Charles Berry III. Anybody that likes plain, good roots rock ‘n’ roll will love this fine collection of songs.
Listening to “St. Louis Blues”, “Maybellene”, and “Memphis” brought back memories of The Man himself. “Rock and Roll Music” is a duet with Joanna Connor that reeks of 50s fun. “Havana Moon” is a real stand-out with its Caribbean Island blues feel, with contributions by t he great Sonny Landreth. Joe Bonamassa’s distinctive guitar licks are heard in “Wee Wee Hours.”
Overall, Mike Zito’s Rock N Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry is a great contribution to anyone’s blues collection, giving a modern interpretation of songs penned by one of America’s finest songwriters.
TRACKLIST
01 ST. LOUIS BLUES-feat. CHARLIE BERRY III
02 ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC-feat. JOANNA CONNOR
03 JOHNNY B GOODE-feat. WALTER TROUT
04 WEE WEE HOURS-feat. JOE BONAMASSA
05 MEMPHIS-feat. ANDERS OSBORNE
06 I WANT TO BE YOUR DRIVER-feat. RYAN PERRY
07-YOU NEVER CAN TELL-feat. ROBBEN FORD
08-BACK IN THE USA-feat. ERIC GALES
09 NO PARTICULAR PLACE TO GO-feat. JEREMIAH JOHNSON
10 TOO MUCH MONKEY BUSINESS-feat. LUTHER DICKINSON
11 HAVANA MOON-feat. SONNY LANDRETH
12 PROMISED LAND-feat. TINSLEY ELLIS
13 DOWN BOUND TRAIN-feat. ALEX SKOLNICK
14 MAYBELLENE-feat. RICHARD FORTUS
15 SCHOOL DAYS-feat. ALLY VENABLE
16 BROWN EYED HANDSOME MAN-feat. KIRK FLETCHER and JOSH SMITH
17 REELIN’ AND ROCKIN’-feat. TOMMY CASTRO
18 LET IT ROCK-feat. JIMMY VIVINO
19 THIRTY DAYS-feat. ALBERT CASTIGLIA
Musicans on all tracks
Mike Zito – Vocals, Guitar
Matthew Johnson – Drums, Vocals, Percusson
Terry Day – Bass Guitar, Vocals, Percussion
Lewis Stephens – Piano, Organ, Wurlizter
SPOTIFY
Produced by Zito himself, the album was recorded at his own Marz Studios and mixed and mastered by David Farrell.
MIKE ZITO ONLINE
Website
I grew up in a household full of rock music, studied journalism in college, and then became a scientist.Although my science career has served me well, music has always played a major role in my life. I grew up reading "Creem" magazine; I play several musical instruments as a "hobby";and it seems a camera has always been in my hand. Now, I am combining what I love the most--music and photography--serving as editor of Rock At Night. I travel between the US and UK seeking my dream! My motto: life is short...no regrets. Chyrisse
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