The biography of BUCK 69 states that the band is influenced by more than three generations of music.  This father and son blues rock band claim to be made up of three members over the age of 45 and five members under the age of 30.  And when I looked at the picture, with absolutely no further help, I was able to figure out who the three were and who the five were...amazing! 

 

    Having said that, let me now introduce all eight of them, and not necessarily by age.  BUCK 69 consists of: TOM CLAWSON, lead vocals, songwriter and father; ALEX CLAWSON, lead guitar and son; BUZZ ANDERSON, lead guitar; CANDICE COLEMAN, vocals; DAVE ALAN, drums; B J LOVE, keyboards; TODD OVALL, bass; and PAM BERGER, harmonies.  On several tracks are special guests JOHN SEVILLA on lead guitar and BOBBY DUNLAP on drums. 

 

    You blues rockers don't even need to read this review.....as a matter of fact, just stop right here and go directly to www.buck69.net and buy yourself a copy of "WHEN SHE WHISPERS YOUR NAME".  C'mon there's not one, not two, but three lead guitarists.....what are you still doin' here?  This disc should've been called "Shootout at the Strat Coral" 

 

    The smoke, and the music both start on "T-TOWN", the opening track.  This one's all about the CLAWSONS.  With a rhythm section that's absolutely on fire behind them, dad and son tear it up on vocals and lead guitar.  Plain and simple - ass kickin', rockin' blues at it's best.

 

    The title, and following track, "WHEN SHE WHISPERS YOUR NAME" and "MISERY", temporarily slow things down a bit.  On both of these, the band is in a slow but very tight groove with TOM and the ladies doing an absolutely wonderful job on vocals and harmonizing.  Very smooth stuff right here.

 

    Good old, down home, Blewzzman's kinda blues is featured on "COLD WIND".  Once again, the masterful vocals of TOM, PAM and CANDICE highlight this slow and very soulful ballad.  Of course, down home blues is nothing without some low down and dirty guitar licks and there are lots of those provided by BUZZ.  Unquestionably one of my favorite tracks on the disc. 

 

    Another of "WHEN SHE WHISPERS YOUR NAME" highlights is "SOMETIMES".  On this one, with some of DAVE'S best drum work going on behind him, BUZZ absolutely tears it up on guitar.  PAM and CANDICE are at discs best on this one as well.  The vocals and the harmonizing are constantly sharp and impressive throughout.

 

    "SOMEONE LIKE ME" is another of the slower, more true to the blues tracks.  This one features the third of three of the most phenomenal young guitarists this listener has had the pleasure of hearing lately - JOHN SEVILLA .  This one is all JOHN and TOM.

 

    Other tracks on "WHEN SHE WHISPERS YOUR NAME", that were not covered due to a lack of space and a fear of setting off the smoke detector over my computer, are: "RISK IT ALL", "NO TIME FOR LOVE", "NO TIME FOR LOVE", "SEX DRUGS UR MOM AND ME", "SWEET SPOT", "I'M A KING BEE", "THE MONKEY SONG" and "THE BEST PLACE".        

 

    Once again, you can check out BUCK 69 by going to www.buck69.net.  Although we'll all know you're really there to win the $1069 they're giving away, you can still tell them you came 'cause the Blewzzman sent ya. 

 

    This review has been complimentary written for your newsletter by Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro, a contributing writer for BLUESWAX and the Blues Editor at www.Mary4Music.com where you can read many more CD and live show reviews, view lots of blues photographs and find an abundance of blues material. I can be reached at Blewzzman@aol.com