Search - Bill Perry :: Fire It Up

FIRST CLASS BLUES PLAYER

Patrick Earley | Edmond, Oklahoma USA | 07/24/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Good new album by this bigtime east coast blues guitar player. He's paid his dues and he finally finds himself on the bigger blues label Blind Pig. On this first CD for Blind Pig he eases back just a little on the guitar gymnastics, and focuses more on the songs. The results here are for the most part pretty good. Especially on the opener "ITCHIN' FOR IT" which features some very nice slide guitar playing. The title song "FIRE IT UP", is a bouncy upbeat tune, and probably the catchiest, most radio friendly song on the album. On the slow burner "THINKIN' OF YOU" Perry finally unleashes his guitar attack and shows us just how intense his solos can get. On the instrumental "G & L JUMP" and "HEAVEN IN A PONTIAC" Perry throws some rock and roll our way. Both also feature some nice keyboard work. My favorite here is "PRESSURE", where Perry really lays down some cool grooves with his constantly changing rhythms, and some brief, but very intense guitar work. This one is blues rock at it's very best, and the song that comes closest to matching the energy of his first 2 albums. The CD ends with the acoustic "CHEATIN' BLUES". Man, this guy is such a good and entertaining acoustic guitar player. A great song to end the album with. It's not quite as good as his first two albums, but nevertheless this is an entertaining CD that has enough tasty guitar hooks thrown in to keep the listener interested. Perry is a top shelf blues player who needs to be seen "live" to really be appreciated. But this is still a good first release for Blind Pig. Get it and "Fire It Up"."

All Time TOP 10

John Peck | Rantoul, IL USA | 09/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Stumbled across this CD after listening to a cut on a local station. Fabulous guitar work. I've put this one in my TOP 10 list and will be listening to it for many years to come."