Curly “No Shoes” Jr has been a staple on the Denver blues scene for a long time--known not only for his upbeat and joyous personality but for his talent as a blues musician as well--and finally, finally we have his 1st solo CD. The wait has been worth it. Produced by local hero Sammy Mayfield, who also played most of the instruments on this recording, we are presented with a CD that has a touch of humor, a touch of love, a touch of heartbreak, and even a touch of America in it. A very traditional blues CD with 12 original songs.

A special mention has to be made of Sammy Mayfield’s guitar playing on this recording--not only is it excellent but he manages to cop a tone very much like the tone Clapton used on the song, “Strange Brew”. It is a tone that fits well with Curly’s voice.

A couple of cuts worth mentioning. “I sing the Blues” is a very traditional number but the lyrics are great! Another one is “American Boy”, which harkens back to Curly’s days in Dallas.

Definitely worth our time and money, I give this one 4 mojos out 5.

(Special mention that a portion of the sales of this CD are being donated to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.)
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We originally reviewed this artist on a single track called "Hide Me From Myself". When we received Curly's cd, we just had to review the entire cd. 
"Make Your Dreams Come True" is a stylish and "down in the trench" type cd with song collections that contain the best in electric blues peppered with great Delta, KC and Chicago stylings. Curly's vocals were made for blues as his tonal qualities matches the genre and he has the perfect vocal cuts and sustains to make the blues convincing. As Curly is a "Bluesman" at heart, there is a lot of "heart 'n' soul" in this cd and a lot to get excited about. The songwriting reflects the artist's experience in life and has great qualities lyrically along with great melodies that brings the trials and tribulations of life in blues. If you're not a blues fan before listening to this cd, you will be afterwards!!
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Denver based blues singer Curly "No Shoes" Jr. (Mark Muehlberg) has learned the genre from some of its best performers and he fronts this quartet with an effectively tremulous vocal rasp that conveys a dark, moody aura. Add Sammy Mayfield's smoldering guitar and you've got a brooding mixture that's sure to lure electric blues devotees. Originals "You Ain't The One For Me", "Nuthin' But A Tear" and the Stones-ish " Wanna Be A Better Man" are solid workouts!
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This is Curly "No Shoes" Jr's new CD,and it is absolutely a killer! Very, very soulful blues with great guitars and wonderful vocals! An old friend of mine said to me: "what makes a great bluesman is something that can't be bought or bargained for, it has to be earned....and it is earned with "mileage".......this guy has been doin' it long enough, and has enough mileage to be part of that group they call "bluesmen".
Welcome brother! I really am diggin' your music!
Give a listen to "Curly", you wont be disappointed!
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