Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King - Blood Brothers
Alligator Records
www.alligator.com
www.smokinjoekubek.com

By James “Skyy Dobro” Walker
14 songs; 60:24 minutes; Suggested

Secret to success revealed! Over the years, what is it that has proven, again and again, to be the “make or break” for blues acts? Hitting the road and touring is the answer. It has worked for Smokin’ Joe Kubek and partner Bnois King as their willingness to live the hard-road life has landed them a coveted spot on the Alligator Records label, a new album, and, yes, another extensive tour. Good thing they thrive on “Live” and have for almost 20 years.

Kubek is a rocking and fierce picker and slider; King is a jazz-inflected chorder (who can also solo with plenty of wrist and elbow sparks). The finest example of this seemingly juxtaposed combination is found on the six minute track 13, “The Pleasure Was All Mine.” Paced at mid tempo, the song’s tone and lyric are introspective, and the guitars play both Allmanesque twin harmonic chords and wonderful haunting solo runs. Here is the harder picking of Smokin’ Joe during the first solo break with King on a later one, single picking notes in bursts of bell tone clarity. Kubek explains the relationship succinctly: “I pull the blues out of him, and he pulls the jazz out of me. Bnois knows so much about jazz it’s amazing.”

With literally thousands of live performances thrilling music fans all around the world, all of their recent releases have topped the Living Blues radio poll charts. As a result, it is hard to think of a bigger name in today’s Texas Blues than these two.

Born in 1956, Kubek grew up in Irving TX. Knocked out by the British invasion, Kubek soon discovered the likes of Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf after first hearing Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck. By age 19, he was backing many famous blues players in the area, including legend Freddie King. One night, he even had the chance to play B.B. King’s guitar, Lucille. “King admired my enthusiasm and he encouraged me, which really meant a lot. When times got hard, I always remembered how B.B. King had given me some encouragement,” Joe reports.

Bnois (pronounced buh-Noyss) King was born in Delhi LA in 1943. He was inspired to play guitar by his high school music teacher. Before long, Bnois was playing blues cover songs with a local band. On his own, he traveled through Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado. King made his way to Dallas in 1979, gigging with jazz bands until he hooked up with Kubek.

In 1989, Kubek met guitarist/vocalist Bnois King at a Dallas jam session. The two melded their seemingly divergent styles into one a potent guitar combination. Calling themselves “The Smokin’ Joe Kubek Band Featuring Bnois King,” they released their debut CD, Stepping Out Texas Style, in 1991. As their popularity continued to build, Kubek and King began playing over 150 dates per year all across the United States, Canada and Europe.

Blood Brothers, produced by Kubek and Alligator president Bruce Iglauer, features fourteen rocking blues songs (thirteen originals) filled with Kubek’s more than competent fretwork and King’s smoky vocals and economical but tasty guitar playing. It was recorded with Kubek and King’s road-tested touring unit: Paul Jenkins – bass, Dave Konstantin - drums and with John Street - keyboards on six tracks.

Iglauer is excited, “Joe is an amazing guitarist who can play anything in blues, from the most traditional Texas style to totally blowout blues-rock. Bnois is a gorgeous singer with deep Texas soul, and his guitar playing is subtle and melodic. Together they make an unbeatable two-man front line backed by a solid, versatile rhythm section.”

The first song, “My Dog’s Still Walkin’” gets right to the business of showcasing their no-holds-barred brand of soul-charged, Texas rockin’ blues. Then, the second track, “Don’t Lose My Number” features Smokin’ Joe on his famous slide guitar. So, within two songs, newcomers are introduced and old fans are reassured.

While most songs log in at three to five minutes, an exception is an eight minute, slow-burning cover of Lightnin’ Hopkins “Stop Drinking.” Other standouts include an up tempo and melodic “Must Be Karma” with a theme popularized by TV’s My Name Is Earl. “Freezer Burn” is a nod to Texas’ Ice Picker himself, Albert Collins. “Coleman Avenue” is a look at Bnois King’s earliest inspirational introduction to blues. Best song title, “Midlife Crisis, Midnight Flight” – a rip snortin’ rocker. The best dance number is “Cold Folks Boogie.”

With Blood Brothers and a massive tour planned, Kubek and King -- band mates and blood brothers -- are ready to grow their Texas blues family.

James “Skyy Dobro” Walker is a noted Blues writer, DJ and Blues Blast contributor. His weekly radio show “Friends of the Blues” can be heard each Thursday from 4:30 – 6:00pm on WKCC 91.1 FM in Kankakee, IL