What blues listeners will appreciate is Curtis Blues has paid his dues.  For years Curtis has been street performing in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, behind the historic Torpedo Factory.  We're takin' long days and nights in squelching summer heat and humidly, with only the amplification of his National Tri-cone.  This harkens back to original Delta bluesman who made their living "turning heads" on Beale Street.   As soon as you hear THIS blues, you know you're drinking from the source -- like the smooth rush of barrel fermented corn whiskey.  "Well Worn Blues" speaks of hard-won life lessons that are sad, poetic, and often profane.  This is the real deal; more relevant today than ever.
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In the days when digitalized, over-dubbed, techno-manipulated music is the norm, it is a treat to hear authentic music played authentically. Curtis Blues shows that one can still be a musical explorer and innovative with traditional instruments in a traditional field. I cut my teeth with acoustic blues listening to the old recordings of the old blues masters--great playing, great songs, but often poor quality to our modern ears. Still, there was something there, some sense of space, room to breathe, for the inner appreciation to blossom without being filled in with overproduction.

Curtis Blues produces that same sense only with modern live recording quality. Listen deeply and you will be experience a direct link to the musical tradition that is in a real way at the root of so much of our modern music.

Curtis's sense of timing and rhythm is as impeccable as ever. His slide is emotive and precise; at times sweet, at times raw, but always evocative. His harmonica playing is up there with the best of the greats. It's a narrative in itself, adding depth and furthering the 'story' in the song, rather than just being musical fill.

But it's Curtis Blues' vocals that really come into their own on this cd. Nuanced, powerful, precise, the delivery of each song is colored for *that* song, *that* era, *that* topic. From whimsical to haunting, his voice alone grabs you. Put it all together with the harp and guitar, and it is blues well worn indeed.

Curtis takes the old numbers on this cd and makes them his own, while delivering them with a sound and style that makes you think you are listening to one of the original bluesmen. His "One Kind Favor" can only be described as 'killer,' while "Preaching Blues" makes you think he must be the son of Son House (no offense to his mother intended!). His own song "Baker Blues" is as funny and well-formed as any traditional song in the double-entendre genre. And his "Second Chance," played on a four string cigar box guitar is one of those songs that seems deceptively simple at first but then draws you in to a powerful and poignant emotional experience; blues at it's best.

Curtis Blues wears his "Well Worn Blues" very well, as will any listener who takes the time to enjoy this fine piece of work. Congratulations Curtis!

A fan.
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