Customer Reviews

Master of the Game

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`Master's of the Game' ranks as one of the best soul/blues album's of 2006. Everything is in place for a classic. Gospel-fueled vocals from Payne, clean concise guitar playing from Edmonson, a cookin' band with a tight horn section and great songs including 10 originals. Standout tracks include the rocking opener "Mean Evil Woman", the lowdown blues "Wake Me Up in San Francisco", the funk-blues "Black Cat `Round My Do'", and "A Fool Named Me" which is pure Southern soul. The three covers are also good and include Johnnie Taylor's "Just the One", a sped-up version of OV Wright's "A Nickel and a Nail" and Bobby Bland's "I'll Take Care of You". These are only a sample of the highlights as every track on the album is good, not a dud in the bunch, making this an essential purchase for any fan of soul/blues.

The Jackie Payne Steve Edmonson Band's latest record "Master of The Game" shows why these guys have become legends in their native San Francisco Bay. Known for incendiary live performances Jackie, Steve and co. cook up an excellent collection of soul and blues here for their Delta Groove debut. Steve's Albert King-esque playing perfectly complements the deep soul voice of Jackie Payne and the partnership plays out something like Otis Redding and Steve Cropper. This album reminds me a lot of Albert King's classic "Born Under a Bad Sign", but it is in no way derivative. "Master of the Game" is an original and passionate album that I would recommend to anyone who likes some soul in their blues.