THE CHARLES BURTON BLUES BAND: I Wouldn't Lie To You
 
THE CHARLES BURTON BLUES BAND
"I WOULDN'T LIE TO YOU"
CHARLES BURTON MUSIC
BY PETER "BLEWZZMAN" LAURO  © JULY 2007
 
 
    Although this is the first review of a CHARLES BURTON release, regular and attentive readers of Mary4Music.com reviews may recall having heard his name mentioned here before.  CHARLES appeared as a guest guitarist on Michele Lundeen's 2005 release, "Song Inside Me", reviewed here back in 2005.  Back then, I only got to hear him on 2-3 tracks, now I get to appreciate him even more.
 
    On "I WOULDN'T LIE TO YOU", an all originals disc, CHARLES BURTON, on vocals and guitar, is joined by EDUARDO SABOGAL on drums and RICK NASH and STEVE WELLS on bass. 
 
    The disc opens with the title track, "I WOULDN'T LIE TO YOU".  Now I don't know about you, but whenever I hear that line, I can't help but think it's a lie in itself.  As a matter of fact, that line should be right up there with the two other biggest lies in the world....."the check is in the mail" and .......oh never mind, you get my drift.  On this track CHARLES appears to be telling some hot babe the many different ways that her boyfriend is mistreating her - in hopes that she'll go home with him instead.  Wait a minute.....who's the real snake here?  Great rhythm from STEVE and EDUARDO  behind some great guitar highlights by CHARLES already have me thinking this may be one of the best tracks on the disc.
 
    Jazz, and blues fans alike, will appreciate the instrumental track titled "CUBA".  This one's all about CHARLES and his guitar.  It's four and a half minutes of absolute skillful mastery over an instrument. 
 
    Very sharp drum work by EDUARDO leads the band in several tight grooves on "YOU CAN'T TREAT ME THAT WAY", "BIG EYES", "THIS LITTLE NUMBER" and "I HAD TO PULL HER OVER".  These tracks pretty much emulate what this band is all about.  You've got three very talented musicians doing what they do best- laying down tight rhythm, putting on virtuoso guitar performances and singing perfect sounding vocals.  No trickery necessary!
 
    If you think that a title like "MY BABY DON'T LOVE ME" might be some low down dirty blues song, then we think alike.  Happily, that's exactly what it is - the kind of stuff that lights my blues flame.  CHARLES nails the mood with the vocal tempo and the blues licks on guitar are the best on the disc.  This is good stuff.
 
    Another instrumental, this one titled "SWING", has me very impressed.  As proficient as this band is musically, I find myself uncharacteristically thinking I could easily enjoy many more of these instrumentals.  Not since Ronnie Earl has a guitar player impressed me as much as CHARLES BURTON is now doing.   
 
    Other tracks on "I WOULDN'T LIE TO YOU" include "HOW WE DO IT DOWNTOWN", "BLOCK PARTY", "SEE MY BABY and "I'D LIKE TO KNOW".
 
    I've said this before and I'll say it again.  if you're going to make it as a three piece band, you better be damn good, and THE CHARLES BURTON BLUES BAND is damn good.  Check them out at www.charlesburton.com and tell them the Blewzzman is talkin' 'bout 'em. 
 
    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