Continued...

(Tim Holek - July 2002 Southwest Blues)

How appropriate to begin with a Texas shuffle called "Mexican Blackbird". Thanks to the button accordion of Joel Guzman, this is not your typical Lone State scuffle. John and his Strat get grooving on this track causing the listener to say, 'this is going to be one well greased disc.' "I Don't Stutter" is a boogie-ing blues that you can dance to. Here the harp of fellow Texan Kim Wilson is exceptional while the thick organ of Riley Osbourn adds further lubrication to the mix.

If you want to experience wah-wah heaven, throw on "House On Fire". This track will incite you to turn up the volume and that is where it will stay for the duration of this 65-minute disc. McVey's guitar wails wickedly yet remains melodic. He combines his limited vocals with Erin James and Eve Monsees for sweet harmonization. The pedal effects continue on "Shadows In My Room". This song exudes evidence of the artists who influenced John the most.

The title track is a slow blues masterpiece. On it, John plays/sings with so much feeling some listeners will have their bags packed to join him in the southwest before the song even concludes! If this is how you play the blues after going to Texas, it explains why the state is the nation's 2nd largest!

No, this is not another Vaughan-a-be. In fact, John proudly proclaims, 'no SRV licks were tested or injured during the making of this album.' John McVey's debut release on newcomer label, Doc Blues Records, contains 12 riveting tracks and McVey penned nine of them. His vocals don't attain the same standards as his guitaring still he manages to create a new breed of Texas blues and boogie rock. Upon hearing this promising CD, you will surely state, 'John, you may have gone to Texas but please come to my town and lay your blues on me.