KEVIN B.F. BURT — Kevin Burt & Big Medicine : Thank You Brother Bill - A Tribute to Bill Withers (review)

KEVIN B.F. BURT — Kevin Burt & Big Medicine : Thank You Brother Bill - A Tribute to Bill Withers album cover Album · 2024 · RnB Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
snobb
The very first album, released in 2024, which I put in my player is surprisingly not jazz, but a r'n'b one. Virtually unknown in Europe, singer / guitarist / harmonica player from Iowa, USA, Kevin Burt's tribute to Bill Wither's music.

Burt’s been playing through the Midwest for nearly 30 years, but recorded just a very few albums. On "Thank You, Brother Bill..." he sings/plays "Ain t No Sunshine" and many lesser known Wither songs.

For good, Burt doesn't try to copy or imitate Wither's vocals or music in general. Burt sounds often more like Joe Bonamassa than Withers himself, his vocal, if soulful, is more aggressive, and the music is much more blues against Wither's groovy r'n'b with folksy touch.

As a result, "Thank You, Brother Bill..." is an electric blues / blues rock album containing strong songs, B B King influenced guitar soloes and bursts of harmonica.

Some songs sound better than others here. Surprisingly enough, heavy and percussive "Ain t No Sunshine" is a weaker point. Burt's version lacks the spirit and subtlety of the original, we have also heard too many strong covers for decades as well. For my ears, Burt's strong side is heavier blues-rock pieces, such as the Wah-Wah guitar sounding opener "Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?" or "Grandma's Hands". Acoustic blues, "Another Day to Run", works well too.

The album closes with short Burt original - dedication to Bill Withers. Thanks to high quality musical material and an experienced band, the new year opened with a strong r'n'b album.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Sunset Park Post Bop
TOBIAS MEINHART
Buy this album from MMA partners
Rudi Mahall, Florian Stoffner, Michael Griener : Die Exorzistin Avant-Garde Jazz
RUDI MAHALL
Buy this album from MMA partners
Ernesto Rodrigues, Nuno Torres & Guilherme Rodrigues : Whispers in the Moonlight - In seven movements Jazz Related Improv/Composition
ERNESTO RODRIGUES
Buy this album from MMA partners
Ernesto Rodrigues, Carlos Santos & Miguel Mira : The knowledge that our time is limited can inspire us Jazz Related Improv/Composition
ERNESTO RODRIGUES
Buy this album from MMA partners
Carlos Zíngaro, Carlos Bechegas, Ernesto Rodrigues : Spleen Jazz Related Improv/Composition
CARLOS ZINGARO
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

FASCINATING RHYTHM - The Amazing Keystone Big Band feat. Neima Naouri
THE AMAZING KEYSTONE BIG BAND
snobb· 23 hours ago
Alicante
RENAUD GARCIA-FONS
js· 1 day ago
She's Forty with Me
WILTON CRAWLEY
js· 1 day ago
Tall Tillie's Too Tight
WILTON CRAWLEY
js· 1 day ago
Rhoda Scott Ladies and Gentlemen - special guest : David Linx
RHODA SCOTT
snobb· 1 day ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed