Pat Boyack: SuperBlue & Funky

Kaz Kazanoff appears as producer/saxophonist/harpist on Pat Boyack’s Superblue & Funky (Bullseye Blues 9587; 56:35). A young blues rocker who hails from the unlikely place of Helper, Utah (he’s relocated to Dallas), Boyack plays with plenty of conviction and an obvious love of the brothers Vaughan. With fellow Texan Spencer Thomas on lead vocals and accompanied by his band The Prowlers Boyack scores direct hits on originals like “I’ll Be The Joker,” “Look At Me, Look At You,” the revved-up instrumental “Longwallin'” and the hot rockin’ “Louisiana Love Shack.” They affect a nostalgic Swing Era feel on the jazzy instrumental “Ol’ Blondie Swings Again” (a reference to Boyack’s blonde hollow body guitar) while also turning in respectable covers of Paul Gayten’s “For You My Love” and Pee Wee Crayton’s “Poppa Stoppa.” The campy “Mexican Vodka” sounds like something Pee Wee Herman might like to dance to. Fellow Texan W.C. Clark adds his superbly soulful vocals to the R&B flavored “Why Must I Suffer” and the slow blues “Righteous Love.” A strong third album from this versatile up-and-comer.

Originally Published December 1, 1997