by Brian D. Holland.

With a title that possesses ostentatious significance, Michael Burks’ Iron Man is potent blues by a powerful performer. He’s the real deal as a guitar player, vocalist, and composer. Although it may seem as though the ghost of Albert King had taken over his body and jammed a Gibson Flying V into his hands, Burks is quite unique in most respects. Moreover, it’s exciting to hear a modern day performer embellish the blues with such enthusiasm and power these days.

The album is a sound and balanced flow of electric blues, both mellow and enthusiastic in style, and Burks certainly doesn’t hide the fact that his technique sometimes strays way outside of stringent blues borders and into unashamed rock territory. The lead guitar in “Love Disease” is blazingly afire, and is matched by an authentically powerful singing voice. A solid Gibson guitar tone, yet blistering with treble highs, Burks plucks his V relentlessly, imposing scorching empathy throughout. Another trait that persists throughout the album is the solid rhythm section pushing everything smoothly along. Everyone involved appears to be having a great time while recording these songs.

In “Strange Feeling,” Burke belts out a strong vocal again, this time around a dominant blues riff within a 12-bar arrangement. A potent slide guitar element dominates this one. “Empty Promises” is a display of his slow blues prowess, one that’s colorful and full of passion. Jimmy Johnson’s “Ashes In My Ashtray” is another in this mode. The level of passion even more distinctive here, you can’t help but feel sorry for the song’s lyrical character. It’s one of those blues songs in which the story is so dismal that it’s humorous. It’s time for this character to move on for sure. Burks gets into another scorching lead solo, showing that a real man eclipses the weak character within the lyrics. “Don’t Waste My Time” is a pleasant R&B melody with an addictive rhythmic flow. Wayne Sharp’s Hammond organ adds nicely to it. Though “Quiet Little Town” is a title that might compel listeners to think ‘mellow’, it’s actually a rocked up gem. In an effort to better describe the style Burks gets into here, Bob Segar came to mind when I first started listening to it. The intro to “Changed Man” chugs along like a train barreling down the tracks, making way for a traditional blues melody with a killer guitar solo near the end.

Though I’ve yet to see this man live, from what I’ve heard he really tears it up and brings the house down. It’s easy to grasp that possibility from listening to Iron Man. Michael Burks is an aggressive blues performer, and his voice matches the strength he puts forth in his guitar playing. He puts all of himself into his songs. Though it’s his fourth release in the past nine years (his third on Alligator), many blues fans are finally beginning to catch on to him. Iron Man will top many blues charts in 2008.

Iron Man Track Listing
1. Love Disease
2. Strange Feeling
3. Empty Promises
4. Salty Tears
5. No More Crying
6. Ashes In My Ashtray
7. Don’t Waste My Time
8. Quiet Little Town
9. Hard Come, Easy Go
10. Icepick Through My Heart
11. Fire And Water
12. Changed Man

Alligator Records
Produced by Bruce Iglauer and Michael Burks

Links
Michael Burks
Iron Man on Amazon.com