by Brian D. Holland.

Albertville, by Illinois born and bred guitarist Corey Stevens, is an interesting CD for numerous reasons. Though the title is a dead giveaway of what to expect, I wouldn’t brush Stevens off as being just another white boy forging Albert King licks. Besides the fact that it’s a CD of Albert King covers (and songs Albert King often covered) done strictly on purpose, there’s something different about the manner in which Corey Stevens goes about playing in the style of the great blues icon.

The album’s opener, ‘A Real Good Sign’, is a catchy and beguiling tune. It’s a perfect choice for those who haven’t yet had the pleasure to hear the music of Corey Stevens and his four previous CDs. However, though he has covered King’s music in the past, keep in mind that much of Corey’s previous material is more contemporary in style than this tribute CD. His technique here is a lot of Albert, in tone, licks, and phrasing. And I mean that in a good way. Over the past quarter of a century, blues and blues-rock fans have been exposed to more than enough Albert forgers and copiers. Sometimes this is okay, in my opinion, just as long as they add their own thing to it. After all, there’s no sense in a guitarist hiding his most profound influences and never letting them shine. That said, it’s the actual ‘clones’ who have a tendency to annoy listeners, the ones who don’t add much of their own style into the mix.

Corey seems to break all the rules here. If you forget, or don’t realize, that Albertville is a tribute CD to Albert King, he can appear a clone at times. However, he does it in an original manner that many players don’t have the patience for. Corey’s playing does the late bluesman justice with respect and restraint. In other words, he doesn’t embellish himself in the areas of volume, tone, and substance. His playing style is very practical, in a mode that even King himself would enjoy. In fact, I wouldn’t mind hearing Corey play like this all of the time. Adding to the ambiance is his gruff and mannish vocal resonance in songs like King’s ‘There’s Got To Be Some Changes Made’, and ‘I Get Evil’. He sometimes evokes vibes of Stevie Ray and Eric Clapton, and I mean that in a good way as well. It’s like a breath of fresh air. His cover of Jerry Strickland’s ‘That’s What The Blues Is All About’ is all that and more. The driving, rhythmic song must be heard to be appreciated. His own composition, ‘Another Pretty Face’, sits beside these classic blues songs nicely.

For fans of Corey Stevens and Albert King, and for those who don’t mind hearing that unforgettable guitar style replicated once again through the fingers of a young player, and also for those like myself who welcome it, Albertville is a refreshing tribute and an excellent Corey Stevens offering.

Albertville Track Listing

1. A Real Good Sign

2. That’s What The Blues Is All About

3. Another Pretty Face

4. Blue Suede Shoes

5. Breaking Up Somebody’s Home

6. Cold Women With Warm Hearts

7. I Got Evil

8. Little Brother (Make A Way)

9. Got To Be Some Changes Made

10. Nice To Be Nice (Ain’t That Nice)

Ruf Records - February 20, 2007

Links
Corey Stevens
Albertville on Amazon.com