Big Joe Louis & His Blues Kings

Playing and writing electric blues in the mold of the classic '50s Chess Records prototype, Big Joe Louis and his crew suffer the same mixed blessing common to many White (and some British) blues bands. Their command of their instruments and genuine love of the music is offset by mediocre if energetic vocals (from guitarist/singer Louis) and a revivalist mindset that recreates with precision, but lacks original vision. They get credit for writing most of the material on their 1996 CD, Big Sixteen, and executing it with assured competence, though they fall into the huge category of bands that could produce a high old time seen live, but aren't anything special on disc. ~ Richie Unterberger