Album Review of
Cadillac Walk

Written by Joe Ross
May 1, 2020 - 2:09am EDT
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Guitarist and singer Jay Willie fronts a powerful blues band that has released five previous albums on the ZOHO Roots labels between 2013 and 2017. This project teams Jay Willie with Detroit-born harmonica player and singer James Montgomery who has been in the forefront of the blues for over four decades. Both men have a continued dedication to the roots of the blues. The band’s other instrumentalists include Paul Opalach (bass, lap steel, keys, simulated horns) and Bobby T Torello (drums). Most songs on “Cadillac Walk” were selected to pay homage to Jay Willie’s early R & B influences like Johnny Winter, Rolling Stones, Willie Cobbs, Tampa Red and Mink Deville. The band’s set is a fiery blues workout with some rockin' & rollin' thrown in for good measure. The set starts out solidly with high-energy versions of “Three Cool Cats” and “Cadillac Walk.” The intensity remains high at midpoint with “Detroit Blues” and impressively powerful tracks “I’m Yours and I’m Hers,” “Eatin’ Dry Onions,” and “Mean Town Blues.” Willie and Montgomery serve up a seamless mix of tasty blues and roots-oriented panache.   (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)