Blood Brothers

Smokin' Joe Kubek | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 4, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Alligator Records
• ASIN: B0012IWIBS
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,480 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #78 in Music > Blues > Regional Blues > Texas Blues

Editorial Reviews

Review

Potent, undiluted 100-proof Texas blues honed to a razor's edge --GuitarOne

Powerful, hard-nosed, authentic roadhouse blues...Punchy Texas shuffles, fierce boogies, tough slow blues and mighty fine roots rock --Living Blues

Kubek is one of the fiercest electric guitarists currently plugged-in. Hard-hitting original Texas blues-rock --Billboard

Product Description

Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King are the most potent one-two punch in blues. Brawny guitar blaster Smokin' Joe Kubek and his soul-singing, guitar-playing partner Bnois King have been burning up the highway from Texas to all corners of the U.S and the world since the early `90s, playing thousands of gigs and building a major cult fan base with their combustible blend of blues and Texas roadhouse rock. Now signed to Alligator, Joe and Bnois are certain to break out to an even wider audience behind increased press and radio support for their label debut, Blood Brothers.Blood Brothers is no-holds-barred Lone Star State blues from a couple of masters at the top of their game. Smokin' Joe's huge, biting tone and Bnois' suave, passionate singing lead the way on a set of tunes steeped in the tradition, yet full of unpredictable twists and turns. Cuts like My Dog's Still Walkin,' Troubled Dreams and Freezer Burn rock with a loose, greasy vibe, while blues-infused workouts Don't Lose My Number and Flame Thrower groove with a simmering intensity.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars CONSISTENCY IS THEIR GAME, March 15, 2008

By 

dickydo "Richie D" (Warwick, RI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blood Brothers (Audio CD)

Another consistent and strong effort of straight up Texas blues from this dynamic duo. "Smokin'" Joe provides his usual sturdy riffs. Bnois King tasteful rhythm work and distinctive vocals on tracks like "My Dog's Still Walkin'" sound especially energetic on their Alligator records debut. No frills, no nonsense HOT Texas blues.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another strong entry from Kubek and King, June 18, 2008

By 

Denis (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blood Brothers (Audio CD)

It never ceases to amaze me how well Kubek and King work together - the chemistry and cohesiveness are definitely there. The record consists of mostly original material, with some REALLY fun tunes!

Most songs sound upbeat (although lyrics are pure blues) and provides SUPER driving music. The songs are crafted to be pretty easy to understand and get into, with catchy rhythm patterns and smooth, no-drama vocals by Bnois King. The blues are 100% Texas.

The rock aspect of this record is also strong, and Kubek delivers some smoking solos, living up to his name. Bnois King contributes a totally different tone, and it's fun to listen to the two approaches combined.

The CD is polished, produced by Kubek and Iglauer. There are really not many things wrong with it. The only improvement I could cite would be for Bnois King to diversify his vocal delivery. His ever-present vibratos don't fit to every melody, and a gruffer, less polished method of singing is sometimes more appropriate. That's a fairly minor gripe for an otherwise very strong record.

The CD definitely has enough energy, mastery, and feeling in it to exceed 4 stars, so it gets 5.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great and Not So Hot, September 30, 2008

By 

Avi Ewer "Curmudgeon" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blood Brothers (Audio CD)

I heard "Stop Drinking" and thought this would be a sensational CD.

There are some vey solid Texas blues things along with that killer cut, but much of the material should have been scrapped, or at least refined, to make this a classic album.

All in all, "Bllod Brothers" has got a bunch of very good things, a couple of pedestrian tracks and one performance that alone is worth the cost.