I absolutely love artists that play a mean guitar. And Dave Kalz does just that on his debut release for Gulf Coast Records, RELISH. The album is packed with original songs that celebrate the insistent tones of a guitar with blues rock gusto.

I suggest you listen to Route 666 first. It is a raucous upbeat tune with undertones of ZZ Top dripping from the music. You can just tell Dave is havin’ a blast as his fingers fly over the neck of the guitar. Next give She’s Got A Hemi a listen with it’s great rock and roll rhythm and those fabulous tones that bring back memories of LInk Wray. Up next focus your ears on a song about the bane of many musicians, the Taxman; it’s another blues rocker with a funky starting beat that shifts into some of the loud late night jammin’ that I have always associated with the Allman Brothers. It should be an audience pleaser when Dave hits the road to support the album which was officially released on June 25th.

Just these three tunes alone will help you understand why Dave’s long time friend, Mike Zito (they are both from St. Louis) signed him to a record deal for Mike’s label, Gulf Coast Records. Mike also sits in for one tune, Werewolf Blues. Dave just absolutely tears it up on another of my favorite cuts of the album, I Can’t Quit Ya Baby. It is a song he played with Devon Allman over two decades ago while Dave was a member of the Devon Allman’s Honeytribe and I am damn glad he included it on the album. I also enjoyed Playing the Blues (with some Jimi Hendrix riffs towards the end!), the title cut Relish, and Flying High.

For the recording, Dave has Kevin McDonald on drums, and Greg Hulub on bass and backing vocals; both of whom also attack the blues….forgive the impending pun…. with relish!! Tony Campanella sits in on guitar for Playing the Blues and Lewis Stephens provides the keyboards on the cut Mexico.

As a debut album, RELISH, is simply stellar. If you often love your blues loud and upbeat (and I do!), then you will enjoy this joyful celebration of the electric guitar.

Dave Kalz – RELISH (2021 Gulf Coast Records)

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Ben Vee started out spinning songs on terrestrial radio and at nightclubs back in the 1970’s in his home state of Louisiana. After a career in the construction business, he returned to DJing in 2011. He now hosts two shows each week on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com and writes about the blues at http://www.benveeblues.com from his home in Connecticut. He also has a 24 hour stream devoted to the Roadhouse Blues… WRHB