When CHARLES BURTON contacted me to say he was sending me his new release for review consideration, I quickly thought about how much I enjoyed listening to, and writing about, "I WOULDN'T LIE TO YOU" - his previous release.  I knew that if the new disc was nearly as good as the last - and indeed it is - that this would be an enjoyable task.

 

    On "EVERYBODY'S TALKIN", THE CHARLES BURTON BLUES BAND consists of CHARLES BURTON on guitar and vocals, PAUL JEFFREY on drums and STEVE WELLES on bass.  A good old fashioned powerhouse blues trio.  And once again, all of the tracks - and there are sixteen of them - are CHARLES BURTON ORIGINALS.

 

    In spite of not knowing me, on the opening track CHARLES sings about three of my characteristics -  "FAT, DUMB AND HAPPY".  This is a track where CHARLES offers some very good advice about what you need to know about simultaneously having two women.  It's a rocker with hot rhythm and great guitar riffs.

 

    Some of the discs best guitar work can be heard on "STILL GET TOGETHER".  It's stuff like this that makes it evident why this band doesn't need a rhythm guitarist, or for that matter - a piano player, sax player or harp player either. 

 

    On "POP THE TRUNK", it's STEVE'S time to shine.  His bass playing is magnificent on this funky tune, which is actually about using popping the trunk as a way to attract attention from the opposite sex.  Use your imagination. 

 

    "HOOK LINE AND SINKER" has to be the dance floor filler at THE CHARLES BURTON BLUES BANDS' live shows.  It's a hot little number that, with all the shaking I was doing, repeatedly had my chair rolling away from the keypad.  This track, featuring great vocals and guitar, and smokin' rhythm, should have been three times it's three minute length.    

 

    "TIKI", as it's title might imply, is a soft, jazzy number with a bit of Caribbean flair.  It's a beautiful instrumental highlighted by the rhythm section featuring great cymbal work by PAUL.

 

    The title track, "EVERBODY'S TALKING", is probably the discs most traditional blues track - and we all know what that means......it's my personal favorite.  Although the guys are in a smooth groove behind him, this one is all about the man the band is named after.  It's full of serious blues guitar work and slow, soulful, lowdown vocals that even feature a bit of scat.     

 

    On the discs closing track, CHARLES not only sings about falling in love "THE OLD FASHIONED WAY", he sings it the old fashioned way.  It's a throwback to the old radio show sounds and it was perfectly done.  The vocals are cool and PAUL & STEVE are right there with the rhythm.  This is great stuff.     

 

    Other tracks on "EVERYBODY'S TALKIN" include: "BLACK MARKET WOMAN", "BABY'S GOT IT BAD", "LOVE THAT GUITAR", "HEAVY HEARTED BLUES", "LOVE YOU BABY", "SWAMP RAT, ""GET BACK WHAT YOU GAVE, "LITTLE JENNIFER" and "TROUBLE HEAD".

 

    Now that you're done reading this, the next thing you should do is head to www.charlesburton.com to pick up this, as well as the rest of CHARLES BURTONS discs.  While you're there, tell him that the Blewzzman sent ya and that I'm already looking forward to his next project.

 

    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