Search - John Lee Sanders :: World Blue

A reveiw of the Cd, and a Live show on Jersey Island

03/18/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recently saw California based John Lee Sanders playing keyboards and sax with Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings.(in the Jersey Islands, off the coast of FranceJuly 96 )His sax playing reminded me of the great King Curtis. This Album shows a much wider range of musical interests and approaches than his magnificent work with Roy Rogers. There are Twelve tracks all sung by Sanders and it is his vocals that create great atmosphere and tension throughout. His own 9 original compositions contain imaginative and thoughtful lyrics. Sanders leads a fascinating line up, creating a full big band sound, where he has gathered around him quality musicians. There is, in particular, some gutsy guitar work from Garth Webber and Stef Burns on "Too Close To Be Friends" and the five women backing vocals add terrific vibrancy. This is a beautifully produced set with, in particular, two outstanding cover numbers, "Black Dog" from Jimmy Page and Robert Plant and a tight interpretation of Little Milton's "Who's Cheating Who?" with the vocals from Sanders being at their most expressive. Sanders has a terrific voice, which at times reminds me a little of Mose Allison, and along with his thoughtful lyrics makes this powerfulset even more enjoyable. Here is a very sophisticated selection of material which shos a wide range of influences but with a very bluesy overtone. Sanders is a serious and thinking musician and suggests in the notes that "Music teaches us to be more tolerant and accepting of all cultures and peoples of the Earth" I could not agree more and I am sure that this enjoyable set will help to do just that! Robert Tilling, Blueprint Magazine. U.K."