BIG SHOES
STEP ON IT!
BIGLITTLE RECORDS BLR–17002
DUPLEX BLUES–THERE YOU GO–THE LAST ONE TO LEAVE–DON’T YOU DO ME THAT WAY–TOO EARLY FOR THE BLUES–BAD FOR YOU–DIXIE MELODY–WALKED OUT THE FRONT DOOR–AIN’T NOBODY LOVES YOU LIKE ME–GIVE IT TO ME NOW–HONEY PIE
The seven guys who comprise the band Big Shoes have impressive credentials that spread from Nashville down to Muscle Shoals, and you could stock a radio station with just the stuff they’ve played on for other folks. They combine their immense talents on their latest release, “Step On It!,” for Biglittle Records Rick Huckaby is on lead vocals and guitars, Kenne Cramer and Will McFarlane are also on guitars, with Andy Peake on drums, Bryan Brock on percussion, Tom Szell on bass, and Bonnie Raitt and Van Morrison alum Mark T. Jordan on keys.
This set is full of good ‘ol Southern-rock-infused blues sprinkled with just a touch of soul, with a Delbert and Little Feat influence. (The band name is a play on Little Feat’s “Sailin’ Shoes” album.) Dig the minor-key, B. B.-influenced story of a dude who stays down on his luck, where it’s always “Too Early For The Blues.” Mark gets into a spirited groove on his instrumental, “Dixie Melody,” which segues’ into another of his originals, the tale of a love torn apart the instant “you Walked Out The Front Door.” And, the next time you go to Memphis, stop by the Commodore Hotel and order up a big slice of “Honey Pie!”
We had two favorites, too. “There You Go” teaches us a lotta life’s lessons, such as “keep on smilin,’ and “call your mama every chance you can.” It’s set over a swingin’ midtempo groove. And, you can’t resist that highly-danceable beat that drives the leadoff cut, as our hero bemoans a life confined to a “10 X 12 world with no escape in sight,” those “Duplex Blues.”
The guys of Big Shoes have so much talent it is insane, and their credentials are, as the Wolf used to say, “long as my right arm.” They sound great on their own, tho, and cordially invite you to “Step On It!,” for a guaranteed good time! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.
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