by Brian D. Holland.

The new release from Guitar Shorty, entitled We the People, is a solid blues-rock addition to a growing solo repertoire. It's his second release for Alligator Records, the first being 2004s “Watch Your Back”, and easily his best to date. Shorty once told me that he considers himself more of a blues-rocker than a blues performer. The CDs” opener, “We the People”, and its follower, “What Good Is Life?”, easily attest to that account. He is no doubt a blues-rocker.

That said, when Shorty (David Kearney) wants to get blatantly bluesy, he can do so, and he does it with style and finesse. Listen to “Cost Of Livin”. No matter how gloomy it is lyrically, yet also blatantly realistic, this one will put you right into the Mississippi delta with a smile. That’s the blues. One must remember that we’re talking about a guitarist who once backed T-Bone Walker, Willie Dixon, Ray Charles, and Otis Rush. If you haven’t seen Shorty live, then do so. Besides the fact that he’s an excellent guitar player, he’s a gentleman performer with a loaded bag of tricks, visually as well as audibly. His onstage antics must be seen to be fully appreciated.

“Down That Road Again” is a melancholy slow blues number that reaches deep down into the land of intoxication, dire roads taken, and love lost. His lead is scorching. In fact, the whole band shines here. The Bob Halligan penned “A Hurt So Old” is another in this mode. If any unknowing listeners want to discover how nice a G&L Legacy guitar thru a Fender Twin can sound, this one’s a good place to start.

We the People is a substantial effort from Guitar Shorty, alive with quality studio material.

We the People Track Listing
1. We the People
2. What Good Is Life?
3. I Got Your Number
4. Runaway Train
5. Down That Road Again
6. Fine Cadillac
7. Can’t Get Enough
8. A Hurt So Old
9. Who Needs It?
10. Blues In My Blood
11. Cost Of Livin’
12. Sonic Boom

Guitar Shorty: vocals and lead guitar
Jake Andrews: rhythm guitar
Wyzard: bass and acoustic guitar
John “JT” Thomas: keyboards
Alvino Bennett: drums

Alligator Records: released August 15, 2006

Links
Guitar Shorty
Guitar Shorty Interview
Purchase We The People