Two great blues harpists and vocalists, James Harman and Kim Wilson, guest on the self-titled solo debut by Fabulous Thunderbirds guitarist Kid Ramos (Evidence 26104-2; 56:43). Ramos acquits himself nicely in a variety of vintage ’50s blues, R&B and soul settings on this horn-oriented project, including the organ-fueled Grant Green-ish funk of “Leave Me Alone,” Pee Wee Crayton’s jump blues “Fidde De Dee,” the Stax/Volt flavored “One Woman, One Man” and a hot rockin’ “The Jig’s Up.” Ramos demonstrates a stinging touch on the Albert Collins-inspired instrumental “Cold Chicken and Beer,” the jaunty New Orleans stroll “No More Alcohol” and on a raucous rendition of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Three Hundred Pounds of Joy,” with appropriately raspy vocals by Cesar Rojas of Los Lobos. Other guest vocalists on this all-star affair include Willie J. Chambers of the Chambers Brothers and the soulful Janiva Magness. Ramos himself makes his first ever vocal appearance on “I Would Be a Sinner” and he conjures up fond memories of simpler times with a briskly swinging rendition of “Bandstand Boogie,” the longtime theme song for Dick Clark’s American Bandstand TV show. A groovy debut from the Kid.
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