Michael Burks live In San Diego, California January 7 2006

The Albert King comparisons are unavoidable. You got a big left handed blues guitar dynamo with a pinched, soulful voice who plays a flying V guitar! Yep, just like Albert. Burks simply brings King back to life! I'm sure this is a blessing and curse for Mr. Burks and he's not a carbon copy. His guitar licks have a King influence, but also a Stevie Ray Vaughan nod and add a little Freddie King. His skills were certainly on display this Saturday night!

The show got off to a slow start Burke and band nonchalantly set up their equipment and tuned up and before you know it- no big announcement and no introduction- Burks & crew tore into "One More Chance" from "I Smell Smoke". It became immediately clear Burks was not feeling up to par. His voice cracked and he looked like he was struggling. But the club was packed and the show must go on. Although the opener was awkward folks immediately got up and filled the dance floor. Some of the lamest, stiffest, rigormortus-setting-in dancing I've seen in quite some time! Hey, this IS San Diego, afterall. I was too cool for that (ahem) and would've looked ridiculous dancing with a pen, camera and pad in my hand. Or maybe I could've started a new dance craze? The "Critic's Shuffle? Somebody get me a producer. Oh, there was one cat who was too loose out on the floor- dancing and prancing with arms waving everywhere like it was a damn ballet. I wanted to smack him upside the head but I'm a peaceful man.

Burks was all business- no chit chat- no colorful monologues- just guitar fireworks...well, eventually. "Miss Mercy" was up next and Burks looked like he couldn't wait to get the show over with but the band got deep in the pocket near the end and there was hints of greatness. They slowed things down on the crowd-pleaser "Little Wing" with Burks doing some adept Jimi-isms. The keyboard player handled the vocals on this one looking like burned out roadie for the Allman Brothers. He could play though.

Next was "I Smell Smoke" (and come to think of it I don't recall him doing anything from his terrific Alligator debut "Make It Rain"). I have to admit I was getting ready to deliver a nasty-gram about this show until he played "All Your Affection Is Gone" and suddenly things picked up. The band hit the bass-heavy groove hard and Burks let it rip with some 5 to 6 minutes worth of blues guitar brilliance! The crowd ate it up. It was an electrical storm! A friend of mine- a Jimi Hendrix/SRV zealot- was grinning ear-to-ear during this downpour of guitar lickosity. Folks got their money's worth on this take alone. Up next was the equally impressive "Texas Flood" and Burks' singing voice was finally warmed up at this point. It was a deep deep slow blues- the kind of performance only a real blues singer/player can deliver. A performance like this separates the bar band from a blues titan...Burks has a long career ahead of him! They played for about 90 minutes but unfortunately there was no "new CD" announcement or nothing new played. He's about due for a record. Also, I would've loved it had he played the sublimely soulful "Lie To Me" from "Smoke" or "Make It Rain" as I like my blues with a side of soul or soul with helping of blues and Burks' records serve both. Nevertheless, I got my dose of blues for the weekend. Check him out if he hits your town.