Guitar slinger Bill Perry’s Fire It Up is a compelling showcase of guitar heroics and good old-fashioned soul. Produced by Jimmy Vivino of “Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” Perry’s hard-hitting debut for Blind Pig after a string of releases for Pointblank has one foot planted firmly in the blues while another strides confidently into the rock camp. His “Born in New York” echoes Albert King’s imposing “Born Under a Bad Sign” while “Thinkin’ of You” is an emotional tour-de-force that perfectly melds his rough-hewn vocals and ferocious guitar work. He pulls out all the stops on the hot rocking instrumental “G&L Jump,” flaunts scorching slide licks on “Itchin’ for It” and turns in some impressive dobro work on the unaccompanied Delta-flavored “Cheatin’ Blues.” With this release, his most complete and self-assured recording to date, Perry should rise to the top ranks of today’s younger bluesmen.
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