"MOVE" REVIEW from BLUES REVIEW!

Coyote Kings 

Move

Twin Lion/Hot Poop Records

BluesWax Rating: 9

  

Versatile, Solid, Sexy

The Coyote Kings, from the Pacific Northwest, is not a one-trick pony when it comes to creating and performing music. With soul and enthusiasm, they show off their versatility. The Coyote Kings consists of guitarist “Mondo Mike” Cook,  singer/songwriter/guitarist Robin Barrett, and  drummer Curtis “Rocket” JohnsonMove, their third release, also features outstanding vocalist Michelle “Mush” Morgan on seven tracks. This album offers a varied listening experience in that each song has its own unique sound, unlike blues albums from many other artists, where one may get the impression one is listening to the same song eleven times in a row.  

“Upside Down, Inside Out” is absolutely great. Cook plays guitar with ferocity and is no doubt among the best guitarists around. It just doesn‘t get any better than this. And when this track is done, there is not even time to cool off as “All Tangled Up” keeps the groove going with a strong, funky beat and Morgan’s sexy vocals. With a voice made special for the blues, she puts the “oomph” in this one. With a fiery naughtiness, she also adds a little sumpin’ sumpin’ to the track “Little Sumpmm Sumpmm’,” reminding me a bit of the spunky Sun recording artist Wanda Jackson.

The payoff on this album is a rocking sultry version of Smokey Robinson’s “Get Ready.” This is one tight cover, and the Coyote Kings make it their own, escorting the song into a new decade to become a party favorite for a new generation. This is solid album from start to finish, and I can’t wait to hear more from them.

Phillip Smith is a contributing writer at BluesWax.

(One slight correction: Robin played all of the guitar on Upside Down, Inside Out.)

You can find your very own copy of Move here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/coyotekingswmushmorgan

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