Anthony Gomes - Blues In Technicolor (1998)

Having gained attention in the Chicago area, the Anthony Gomes Band released their debut album in 1998. Blues in Technicolor has some of the hottest blues guitar work you'll ever hear. One of the strongest tracks, "Misery for Company," has a B.B.King feel to it, with powerful emotional vocals and vibrant guitar work. "Bad Luck Child" conjures up memories of some of the great Texas blues bands with its forceful power chords and strong, driving lead guitar. Variety is not a key word in describing this album, and should not be the reason for choosing it. If you want really hardcore blues music, this fits the bill. An amazing guitarist who truly has a feel for blues arrangements is what you'll find in Gomes. His bandmates are equally as talented and certainly as focused. The other guitarist, Dan "King" Kahn, appears as a powerful entity in every tune. Drummer Brian "B.J." Jones and Junior Fuller on bass are the tightest rhythm section that you'll have the pleasure to listen to. For a bit of color, there are Roosevelt "Mad Hatter" Purifoy on the keyboards and three great background vocalists, Jim Hudson, Joan Collaso, and Jim Peterik. Blues in Technicolor would make a fine addition to anyone's blues collection. If you're a blues guitarist, this is a must have; the chops you'll pick up from the Anthony Gomes Band could be the cheapest guitar lesson you'll ever find. The top reason for listening to this album is to be entertained, and that is what you get, sound entertainment.