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Blues Underground Network Big Pete "Choice Cuts" |
 Peter 'Big Pete' van der Pluijm is a Dutch Blues master whom decided to cross the pond in 2010, and the American Blues scene felt his impact almost immediately, as a exceptional Blues Vocalist and Harp player. His first big American debut came by way of The Mannish Boys' 5th anniversary release "Shake For Me", for Delta Groove Productions. That release celebrated the 5th anniversary of Delta Groove Music. "Shake For Me" was a star studded affair and featured many greats including Kirk “Eli” Fletcher, Bobby Jones, Rod Piazza, Kid Ramos, Mitch Kashmar, Arthur Adams, Johnny Dyer, and Lynwood Slim, to name a few. Pete had the great honor of closing out the album and did so in fine style, in which he paid tribute to his hero Lester Butler, with "Way Down South", one of Butler's best.
"Choice Cuts" marks Big Pete's American debut with of course none other than Delta Groove Productions and features many of the artists on their recent collaboration "Shake For Me", which included Johnny Dyer, Kirk Fletcher, Kid Ramos, Rusty Zinn, Rob Rio, Willie J. Campbell, and Jimi Bott. Also joining Big Pete on "Choice Cuts" were greats Al Blake, Kim Wilson, Paul Oscher, John Marx, Mojo Mark, Shawn Pittman, Rusty Zinn, Alex Schultz, and Malcolm Lukens. The core of the band for "Choice Cuts" was Alex Schultz (Guitar), Jimi Bott (Drums), Willie J Campbell (Bass) and Rob Rio (Piano), with the rest stepping in as Special Guests on various Tracks.
"Choice Cuts" consists of 13 dynamic Tracks, all of which were thoughtfully chosen covers, which starts off with a real barn burner called "Driftin'", which is a further tribute to Lester Butler whom wrote it. Lester Butler was a huge influence on Big Pete's life and when he passed away, it was Big Pete, whom at the age of 23, "was handpicked for a European memorial tour to honor the music and memory of legendary harmonica player and vocalist Lester Butler (the Red Devils and Thirteen), backed by several of Lester's original bandmates". That tour's huge success lead to a CD and more touring as the Lester Butler Tribute Band. "Driftin'", which is also the longest Track on "Choice Cuts", quickly lays to rest any doubt as to how great a Singer and Harp player, Big Pete is.
Track 2, Albert King's "Can't You See What Your Doin' To Me", marks the first introduction of Special Guests, which on this Track is Kirk Fletcher on Rhythm Guitar and Malcolm Lukens on Hammond B3 Organ. In addition to Fletcher and Lukens, Alex Schultz really lights it up with his sizzling Lead Guitar. This Track marks a bit of a theme which is predominate throughout "Choice Cuts" with there being a fine mixture of Harp forward and Guitar forward Tracks, depending on how it fitted the covers.
While Kirk Fletcher does a fine job on 2 Tracks as Rhythm Guitarist, it is the other 2 Tracks, "Just To Be With You", and "Hey Lawdy Mama", that really show Kirk at his best. "Hey Lawdy Mama" is a bit faster paced and my favorite of the 2 Tracks. Special Guest Rob Rio plays Piano on "Just To Be With You", as well as 5 additional Tracks, of which Track 8 featured him at his keys bustin' best.
Track 12, 'Chromatic Crumbs', is the one instrumental on "Choice Cuts" and is a real crowd pleaser for the Harp and Guitar fans with a little under half of the album being pure Big Pete on Harp, and most of the remainder being devoted to Solo Guitar work via Alex Schultz and Special Guest John Marx. The final third of 'Chromatic Crumbs', has Big Pete finishing it off in fine Harptastic style, with equally great Bass and Drum accompaniment.
Beyond the mentioned Tracks and Performers, "Choice Cuts" has much more, as can be guessed by the extraordinary lineup of musicians, that it offers. But that is a treat for you to find out about.
Big Pete's "Choice Cuts" caught my attention last year, when I first listened to it, to the point where I chose it as "Best Debut Album (Artist) (USA)" in my Blues Underground Network's Year End Review 2011. "Choice Cuts" was also selected as #1 Best Blues Albums of 2011 on the SoundGuardian. "Choice Cuts" is already considered an instant classic and has garnered numerous rave reviews. It is an amazing Debut album from an equally amazing Artist. Highly Recommended and Thoroughly Enjoyed... Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
Listen To Samples Here...
Additional Artist Info... http://deltagrooveproductions.com/music/artists/big_pete/main.html
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