Make It Right!
Continental Blue Heaven, 2020
8/10
The veteran blues-rocker and Oklahoma native Shawn Pittman returns with a 13th album, where a modern blues delivery with his Texan roots along for the ride (Pittman moved to Dallas in his teens) help ensure that Make It Right! is among the best of his catalog.
“Done Tole You So!” starts the listen with soulful guitar work as equally soulful vocals enters the rugged blues opener, and “Finger On The Trigger” keeps the theme going with a spirited and dynamic display of country and blues influenced rock’n’roll that tips its hat to John Lee Hooker.
Closer to the middle, “There Will Be A Day” recruits melodic vocals and guitar acrobatics on the rhythmic and playful album highlight, while “How Long” offers a restrained and powerful display of timeless, emotive song craft. “Cold Sweat”, another album standout, then gets a bit funky in its instrumental prowess.
Near the end, “Let It Go” glides and bounces with a stylish delivery, and “I’m Done” exits the listen with a busy execution of strong drumming and a festive mood amid some reverb and call and response tactics.
An active solo artist since 1996, though Pittman’s made a somewhat public announcement of retiring from music several years ago, thankfully he’s still at it, and writing some of today’s best modern blues music.
Travels well with: Albert Castiglia- Wild And Free; Billy Price- Dog Eat Dog