Kid Ramos, another retro-leaning guitarist who followed in Vaughan’s footsteps as resident ax-slinger in the Fabulous Thunderbirds, features the same grunge tones and reverb-laden stinging licks on Greasy Kid Stuff (Evidence 26117-2; 59:38) that he favored on his two previous outings. But this time out he’s jettisoned the horns for a more low-down, back-to-basics approach with a rotating cast of harmonica greats, including Charlie Musselwhite, Paul deLay, Rod Piazza, James Harman, Johnny Dyer, Rick Estrin and Lynwood Slim. An earthy, let-the-good-times-roll vibe prevails on this one, perhaps best exemplified by Estrin and Harman’s frolicsome duet on “It’s Hot in Here,” Rod Piazza’s “That’s What She Hollered” and a rousing Estrin-Musselwhite duet on “Harmonica Hangover.” And supporting it all is the dynamic guitar work of Ramos, one of the best ax slingers on today’s blues scene.
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