Big Shoes – Step On It! | Album Review

Big Shoes – Step On It!

Biglittle Records

11 songs time – 44:03

This seven piece group of Nashville, TN and Muscle Shoals, AL journeymen musicians offers up a southern rock based sound tempered by the blues, New Orleans R&B. country and who knows what else. They are guitar based with three guitarists plus the drummer doubling on guitar. The keyboards of Mark T. Jordan also figure prominently in their sound with influences ranging from Bill Payne of Little Feat to the inimitable master of New Orleans piano Professor Longhair. I remember Mark from Philly’s Edison Electric Band from the heady eighties music scene. I also have fond memories of seeing him as an integral member from Dave Mason’s live band, having seen them in their hey day. I recall Dave referring to him as Mark “The Frog” Jordan. He was a key factor in Dave’s concert sound. Rick Huckaby handles the warm and smooth vocals department, as well as playing guitar. All the songs are written by combinations of various members.

The woes of living in cramped and less than perfect conditions is covered in the humorous “Duplex Blues”. It’s a smooth tune with great guitar tone and prominent organ and piano. The upbeat and positive vibe of “There You Go” is uplifting. It’s a mellow southern rocker. “The Last One To Leave” is infused with a country feel with travel images. Guitar, organ and piano jell just right on this one.

A New Orleans drum pattern and Professor Longhair inspired piano and a bit of a Little Feat vibe make “Don’t Do Me That Way” an irresistible feel good ditty. How’s about a melancholy and mellow upbeat song of woe? Try “Way Too Early For The Blues” that includes just the right touch of horns for accent. “Bad For You” is a rocker lamenting love sickness. “Dixie Melody” pays homage to piano innovators like Fats Waller and Scott Joplin. It serves as an intro to “Walked Out The Front Door”, another smooth and cool rocker.

Southern rock meets The Band on the lopping “Ain’t Nobody Loves You Like Me” with a hint of an “Ophelia” vibe. It features some tasty slide guitar along with a horn section. Southern rock shakes hands with country rock on “Give It To Me Now”, where the narrator asks for his respect now. A Little Feat guitar and bouncy piano groove take things out in the feel good “Honey Pie”.

The best elements of southern rock, blues, New Orleans, country and roots music have met here to create a stimulating and enjoyable slice of music. From the production, lyrics, guitars, keyboards and rhythm section everything gels. The music sounds fresh while evoking musical memories of days gone by.

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