I shop CD baby a lot and I have been keeping an eye on Michael John & The Bottom Line. Just when I thouht it could not get any better then their previous CD 
Good Thing, they come out with this 2005 release From The Roots, 13 tracks with 11 originals. The songs are well written, well performed and well recorded. Pick up this CD I promise you will not be disapointed...I'm going to Southern California on vacation this summer and I will be making it a point to see them live.....
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Michael John & the Bottom Line serve up an eclectic smorgasbord of blues, ranging from the swinging West Coast stylings of “Just Another Day”, with its subtly mellow, chugging harmonica rhythms and hot, tasty guitar; through the soul infused, Arthur Alexander influenced “You Ain’t All That”; to the funky sax and harp fuelled “Ain’t Doing Too Bad”, with it’s searing guitar riffs; purveying each stylistic genre with consummate musicianship and respect for tradition.

In Michael John, the band have a singer with a naturally soulful voice that adapts readily to the wide range of blues on offer; his gruff vocals driving the perennial warhorse “Something You Got” as the band lay down “authentic New Orleans rhythms courtesy of  Jeff Dellisanti (sax) and Kirk Nelson (piano), whilst on “Can’t Let Go”, he brings Van Morrison to mind, his deeply soulful vocals enhanced by moody sax and mellow B3. 

Confident in his own talent, John peppers his blues with a wide variety of influences; the loping sax fired rhythms and rolling piano on “Shoulda Known Better” evoking the spectres of both Gene Autrey and T-Bone Walker, whilst on the funky “I Know What To Do”, guitarist Howard “Preacher” Ward mixes Johnny Winter slide with twangy Duane Eddy styled licks.  On the lowdown, funky “Real Deal”, John’s vocals bring Robert Lucas to mind, a feeling enhanced by Ward’s potent slide; whilst “Skinny Dipping” evokes the image of James Harman singing with the Coasters fronting a Dixie styled band.

Michael John’s eclectic style of blues will appeal across a wide range of the blues spectrum.
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First it was the Good Thing CD which was outstanding plus all the instruments were out front but not overpowering to each other, each sound giving its own clear~crisp sound that just gives you chills to the bone. So after reviewing Good Thing CD I thought no way no how they can match this one........Boy did they show me how wrong I was. Their new CD 'From the Roots' reeks with the best blues music coming from these outstanding musicians. Their songs are some of the hottest blues you will ever hear it will so deeply touch your heart and soul. In reality blues is suppose to touch the heart and Michael John and TBL makes it even more of a reality. Hearing this CD only shows what real blues is all about........ 
All 13 songs are definitely a keeper. 'Just Another Day' kicks this cd into motion.....'Ain't Doing Too Bad' real rockin blues.....'Can't Let Go' tugged at the ole heart and soul.....'I Still Love You Babe' gives you some ole bluesy jazzy sound.....and before closing this part of the review, the one song that just grabbed the heck outta me was 'Talk Dirty To Me' , this tune is totally blues, gutsy - the kind that just goes deep into the heart and soul. The musicianship on this cd demonstrates what this group has to offer. Want some blues that will grab you hard? Then you need to hear this cd which you will agree that it has superb sound.......'From the Roots' is where it's all at.

BOTTOM LINE:  Spectacular Caliber of Talent…..Musicianship that doesn’t get any better…..Vocals to capture your heart and soul……Messages in each song that can be identified by someone - somewhere at anytime….Make sure to visit Michael John & The Bottom Line Website at: http://www.michaeljohnandthebottomline.com , make the best purchase you will ever make this year, purchase the ‘From the Roots’ CD.
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The new cd displays the musical talents of each band member. Excellent song writing coupled with great blues music makes this cd a must have for the rocking blues lover.
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