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Blind Lemon Pledge (James Byfield) gives a wonderful, acoustically compelling performance
on the classic ‘House of the Rising Sun’. This number is from his forthcoming album, ‘Oh So
Good’.

The Reverend Freakchild ends the album with another striking and tautly played acoustic
piece with the eerie ‘Don’t Miss Nothing ‘til It’s Gone’. Towards the end, The Reverend Shawn
Amos eloquently chimes in, with harmonica and backing vocals.

Recommended!

Brian Harman

Rick Vito—Cadillac Man—Blue Heart Records BHR-062

Richard Francis Vito was born on October 13th 1949 in Darby,
Pennsylvania; his professional career began in 1971, shortly

after moving to Los Angeles, where he met and joined Delaney
& Bonnie & Friend. He has also, worked with Todd Rundgren
and Derek & The Dominoes’ Bobby Whitlock. He became part
of Fleetwood Mac in 1987 and stayed with them until 1991.
During this time he replaced lead guitarist Lindsey Bucking-
ham. He is noted for his blues and slide guitar style, his influenc-
es include Elmore James, Robert Nighthawk, and B.B. King.

He played the slide guitar solo on the Bob Seger song (and
Chevy truck TV commercial), ‘Like a Rock’. He had been a member of Bonnie Raitt's touring
band in the 1980s and 1990s. In the past, he has also worked with other artists such as; John
Mayall, Jackson Browne, Little Richard, Roger McGuinn, Roy Orbison, Dobie Gray, John Foger-
ty, Stevie Nicks, Albert Collins, Dolly Parton, Maria Muldaur and Bob Seger.

This album of 12 numbers includes only one cover, the others are original compositions from
Rick and it will also be his 12th solo release. He takes lead vocals and guitar, acoustic guitar
and electric bass. In the studio with him are Jim Hoke, saxophones, Lynn Williams, Rick Reed
and Charles “Mojo” Johnson, drums, Kevin McKendree; Hammond B3, Steve Mariner, har-
monica and Charlie Harrison, bass.

The opener is ‘Love Crazy Baby’, a lovely, lazy slide driven shuffler, with comforting drum
work underpinned by an equally lazy and enticing saxophone.

Next up is ‘It's Two AM’. This, is an old number of Vito’s from about ten years ago. It was
recorded by Shemekia Copeland and won the 2001 W.C. Handy Blues Award for song of the
year. Here, it is a driving rocker—with suitably ringing slide—while the simmering Hammond
and punching percussion underpin it all. The driving, saxophone swinging, foot tapping ‘Cadil-
lac Man’ definitely has the enticing, influencing undertones of a certain Mr. C. Berry.

The gentle shuffle ‘Little Sheba’ is encased in a shimmering and echoing percussion with an
eastern flavour, as is the prowling harmonica in the background, while to the fore is an
enticing sitar-influenced slow slide guitar. The jungle-nightlife sounds and a distinct Bo Did-
dlely beat on ‘Bo In Paradise’ allows Rick to deliver a soothing, almost Hawaiian slide. Splendid!

’Gone Like A Cool Breeze’ is in praise of the Cadillac car and it is delivered in a joyful swinging
Louis Jordan style. A change of mood is set with ‘Crying At Midnight’ a haunting slow burner,
filled with plenty of dreamy melancholic slide. ‘Barbeque’n Baby’, is a lovely little toe tapper,
with plenty of creamy slide to entice.