CD Review - Mike Tabares and Passionate Blues
This is Mike Tabares's first recording. As soon as you put on the first track, there is no doubt about it, you are listening to the refined experienced sounds of pure musical genius. Mike and his tele present a command performance, and if he is the King, then the rest of his court the "Passionate Blues" can offer no less. All veterans of the genre and master craftsmen of their instruments, the band members are, John Meydam on Drums and Alex Paris on Bass. Additional Guests on the CD are Al Lerman on Harp and Sax, and Alec Fraser on Bass, and Rod Philips on B3 and piano.
For blues lovers the album features several of Mikes own compositions, ( Finally Out Of My Mind, Thank You Mister Blue, Bad Luck Driving, Earles's Blues) proving that he can not only follow with the best of them but he can hit the ground running and effortlessly take the lead. Along with his own stunning guitar work, every instrument has a place, from supporting roles to outstanding solos.
Covers from Howling Wolf, Chester Burnett, and John Hiatt take on a life of their own.Mikes philosophy of leaving gaps and holes to be filled in by the rest of the band means that the listener is not presented with a wall of sound, instead the instruments appear to fit exactly where they are needed. His playing has the uncanny ability to make everyone he plays with sound better. A master of dynamics, he is in control of delicate tonal wispers or thundering arpeggios.
Nestled snuggly between these standard blues numbers is "I See Nothin'" a light up tempo expertly crafted tune that invokes feelings of the 30's and that era's penchant for feel good tunes. In fact you can almost imagine a Louis Armstrong vocal fitting right in. Mike plays both electric and acoustic on this take.
The last song on the album is a Howling Wolf (Chester Burnett) classic and this uptempo version will leave you snappin' to the beat. Mike has certainly injected the old standard with a fresh contemporary arrangment.
To sum everything up, this CD has great musicians doing great things to great songs. What more do you need to know? Buy it!
