Michael Burks
Iron Man
Alligator Records
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Michael Burks is the liberator of the next
generation blues guitarists. Although still
considered a new blueblood, Burks has been
performing for more than 30 years and is capable of
expressing the blues like its masters did during the
genre’s heyday.
You likely know about Burks’ fiery
guitar skills, but what about his singing skills?
They lie somewhere between crooning and lamenting as
substantiated on tracks like "Icepick Through My
Heart" from his new CD, Iron Man (Alligator). Nothing is contrived on Iron Man. It all
sounds and seems entirely natural. Much of that
credit goes to recording live in the studio with
Burks’ high-powered touring band as opposed to using
studio stars as in the past.
Dubbed from Burks’ nickname, which was earned from
his lengthy live sets, formidable guitar playing,
and ability to drive hundreds of miles non-stop,
Iron Man is one of those CDs which is ideal for
testing the potency of your sound system. One minute
into the first track, a ripping guitar solo lets you
know what’s in store for the next hour.
Seven of the
album’s 12 songs were written or co-written by
Burks. Common themes include wasted dreams, bad
relationships, and shedding tears. On "No More
Crying," Burks sings (“I cried so many tears/I have
no tears at all”). Jimmy Johnson’s "Ashes In My
Ashtray" is given an interesting reading because
Burks’ plaintive vocals are so different from
Johnson’s comforting vocals. Best of all you can
figure out the lyrics because the former mechanical
technician for Lockheed-Martin sings them clearly.
The song’s hurt and betrayal burns from the
smoldering fretboard just as it did on the original
version.
Burks’ wild slide guitar and ardent vocals
sound very similar to Luther Allison on "Strange
Feeling." "Quiet Little Town" is rhythmic radio rock
and it contains a memorable riff. "Fire And Water" –
originally made popular by the band Free and later
covered by Wilson Pickett – contains another radio
friendly rock steady groove. The pop/rock jam "Salty
Tears" is infused with southern soul. Southern rock
flourishes on "Don’t Waste My Time" and "Hard Come,
Easy Go." Burks projects as much fervor as he vocally
can on the former, and then finishes the kill with a
torrential guitar exhibition. The latter possesses a
raw Tinsley Ellis edge and a blues/rock riff. It was
written specifically for Burks by label-mate Ellis.
Whether you have experienced the anguish of empty
promises or not, you’ll know exactly what it feels
like after listening to Burks’ song of the same
name. The arrangement and lead guitar work is
impassioned and Burks’ vocals are exercised to their
maximum. The brilliant track reveals a vulnerable
side of Burks. The intensity of the performance
easily equals, if not exceeds, "All Your Affection Is
Gone" from I Smell Smoke.
Compared to his last two Alligator CDs, the most
noticeable difference is the fact that Burks’
influences, e.g., Albert King, are no longer on
display. Alligator’s president, Bruce Iglauer,
admits, “Watching Michael Burks mature into one of
the most exciting bluesmen of his generation has
been a treat for me.” This CD clearly portrays Burks
as one of the best contemporary blues players whose
every ounce is made of iron ore.
--- Tim Holek