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LEWIS COWDREY It's Lewis (Antoine's Records) This brilliant singer/harpist from Texas believes he is the white James Brown, and he is! It's Lewis opens with 'Skin To Skin' that has a Memphis/Philly soul strut. 'Not Doing Too Bad' is a classic soul-blues ballad that was penned by Deadric Malone who wrote some absolute gems for Bobby Bland. Lewis' rendition of the early James Browns soul-blues song 'I Don't Mind' is truly heart-felt. Continuing in the James Brown flavour is Cowdrey's own 'Itchy & Scratchy', that takes it all the way 'to the bridge'. Big Smokey Smothers' 'I Got My Eyes On You' sounds like it's come straight from of a Chicago pool hall. The title track is pure Texas blues, and it is a Cowdrey original. 'From Any Angle' features some delightfully deep walking bass. Another Malone classic is 'Think' that was made legendary by James Brown, and it's great to hear it revived. Another soul gem is 'Wonderful One'. Anybody remember Syl Johnson's 'Dresses Too Short'? It's featured here, and it's pure soul. 'Bloody Tears' is very Jimmy Reed meets Elmore James. Cowdrey's own 'Check It Out On Me' again has it's James Brown influences. 'No Flats' has got it's roots in both Junior Wells and Little Walter. Lewis finishes up with an instrumental that is the Ramsey Lewis (no relation) standard 'Wade In The Water'. Most people would have missed It's Lewis when it came out in 1994, and that is a damn shame as it is one I listen to repeatedly. An album to die for if you love soul & blues. Gazz Click on album image to see larger album cover 
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