| Downstate native Corey Stevens checks back
in to the international blues scene with the release of his third CD Bring On The
Blues (Fuel 2000). Stevens has traveled a long road from Centralia, IL to his current
Hollywood home and his reputation is growing among blues fans here and abroad. He is one
of the many guitarists in the post-SRV world to mimic Vaughn’s familiar
‘hat-and-a-strat’ image and rock-influenced blues sound. Stevens, however,
delves more deeply into the rock side of his roots than most of the others and many of his
songs have more of a southern rock feel than the typical Chicago shuffle. He is not afraid
of breaking out of the 12 bar or singing a ballad and this gives him a leg up on the many
others trying to forge their own identity in blues-related music.
Stevens is obviously a skilled guitarist and
turns in good performances on many of the songs included here. Where he is a little
lacking is in the vocal department. He is sort of a one-dimensional singer and
doesn’t convey the same fire as SRV or Hendrix. He might want to consider taking a
page out of the Kenny Wayne Sheppard book and act as the bandleader but delegate the vocal
role to a more capable candidate. Stevens is not a terrible singer, but he has a sort of
laid-back style that is more singer/songwriter than bluesman.
Other than that criticism, Bring On The
Blues is pretty listenable. The guitar sounds are cool throughout and the band
grooves steadily, if a bit predictably. The songs themselves are decent, although the disc
lacks a definitive cut. There is no “Couldn’t Stand The Weather” or
“Voodoo Chile” to leave listeners slack-jawed and wasted. Stevens is about
halfway to having a distinct persona as an artist. He certainly packs the guitar skills
needed to do the job. One great song and a better singer just might take him the rest of
the way.
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