Big Shoes

Step On It!
Biglittle Records

Step On It! Is the latest disc from highly regarded session players making up the Nashville-based band Big Shoes. They include guitarists Rick Huckaby, Will McFarlane and Kenne Cramer; keyboardist Mark T. Jordan; bass player (and former Portlander) Tom Szell; drummer Andy Peake, and Bryan Brock on percussion. Huckaby also provides lead vocals throughout the disc. This illustrious cast of musicians have been featured behind the sounds of Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison, Taj Mahal, Bobby Bland, Etta James, Delbert McClinton, and a seemingly endless cast of performers. So with that type of background you just know that their combined output just has to be stellar. And it is.

This is the band’s second recording. Originally formed to perform a tribute to the music of Little Feat (get it, Big Shoes, Little Feat), they enjoyed playing with one another so much and the music flowed so nicely that they decided to take it even further. Their sound can deliver the mood of the best of classic blues flavored rock, taking the form of people like Bob Seger, Bonnie Raitt, The Band or others. But this is no tribute here; all of the tracks are originals. It might be pointed out that the song “Walked Out The Front Door” did appear on Raitt’s Home Plate album, but truth is that it was co-written by Big Shoes’ Mark T. Jordan. And on top of all the rocking blues sounds, the band can also bring on the very best of sounds from funk, gospel and soul to the table, too, whatever direction they seem to choose. This is a very enjoyable album with each track a true gem worth hearing.

Total Time: 43:34

Duplex Blues / There You Go / The Last One To Leave / Don’t You Do Me That Way / Too Early For The Blues / Bad For You / Dixie Medody / Walked Out The Front Door / Ain’t Nobody Loves You Like Me / Give It To Me Now / Honey Pie