Blues Is My Business

Paul Wood

Lucy Records/BMI

review by Tony Engelhart

From recording and touring with the late John Lee Hooker Coast to Coast Blues Band, to opening for the likes of James Brown, Albert Collins, and Albert King, Paul Wood is a seasoned veteran who has been playing the blues for over three decades. The Memphis based guitar player steps out from the shadows of studio musician/producer on his second solo release, Blues Is My Business.

Originally from Oakland, California, Paul Wood picked up his first guitar at age 11. While his initial influences were rockers George Harrison, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton, Wood began digging deeper and discovered that his childhood hero’s had been inspired by legendary blues greats such as Elmore James, Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Reed and Muddy Waters. At age 20, the young guitar player was in the studio with John Lee Hooker and suddenly found himself in high demand recording with Van Morrison, Elvin Bishop, and Charlie Musselwhite. In addition to recording, Paul Wood has also been called upon to produce for such artists as Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang.

Blues Is My Business like his first release, Bridgeburner, successfully unites Wood’s early rock influences with his later blues endeavors creating an evenhanded and diverse recording. With tight horn arrangements, the disc opens with a straight-ahead guitar driven blues-rock tune ‘She Don’t Play By The Rules’ where Paul Wood’s intense guitar riffs and immaculate solos are showcased. Woods dabbles with the smooth sound of Chicago Blues on ‘Crying Won’t Help Ya’ and ‘Don’t Call Me’. With an Albert Collins-like snap, the title track is sharp and unwavering. The recording wraps up with the Delta acoustic ‘The Mojo Man’ with lyrics that not only pay homage to the blues legends that inspired him but also paints a self portrait of the blues man’s life, loves and travels.

Blues Is My Business is already receiving heavy international airplay and cross over potential is likely for this gifted guitarist/vocalist/songwriter. This should come as no surprise as Paul Wood and producer Jack Holder deliver a top notch and varied recording.

http://www.paul-wood.com/ordercd.html

(Originally Appeared on Blues Bytes)