Delta Wires photo by Dana Davis

There is a great crisp upbeat blues sound emanating out of Oakland, California in the music of the Delta Wires!  A seven piece band with a 30 year vintage, the Delta Wires seventh album, Born in Oakland, is a magical mix of the West Coast blues that is fresh and relevant.  I couldn’t help envisioning Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi and the Blues Brothers just hollerin’ and cheerin’ as I listened to the new CD.  Their “mission from God to spread the blues” definitely reached the off ramps from I-580 to the bright side of the bay!! Band leader and on lead vocals and harmonica, Ernie Pinata started the band as a college project back in the day and the Delta Wires have matured into an exciting and original purveyor of the modern blues.

I absolutely love the song Vacation on the CD. It is the perfect tune released at the perfect time for me….and I bet for YOU!  Tom Gerrits (bass) and Tony Huszar (drums) lay down a steady rockin blues beat, Richard Healey rips it up on guitar, and the horn section consisting of Gerry Jonutz, David Bowman, and John Christensen give the song some unique spice that I think makes it a sure fired hit!  Wanna feel good, different, get outside, or get on the road to somewhere new…..just play this tune and the bags will almost pack themselves!

The album also features a great funky blues instrumental number, In the Middle, that showcases the talents of the horn section. Sunny Day and Fun Time are great little hip swayin’ chillin’ blues tunes, Your Eyes is some fine badass blues, and Devil’s In My Headset features some guitar licks and a sax solo I really enjoyed.

Kudos to acclaimed master engineer Bob Olhsson for marshaling the talents of the Delta Wires and transforming them into a powerful set of ten original cutting edge modern blues tunes!  This is the defining sound and album of the blues for the summer of 2017!

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Have any comments or thoughts on the modern rockin’ blues or recommendations of groups I should listen to, drop me an email at benvee@yahoo.com.  And don’t forget to check out my 24 hr Roadhouse blues stream at http://s1.nexuscast.com:8043 !