Mike Zito

Resurrection
0

The very title of bluesman Mike Zito’s new album – and the fact it’s the follow-up to 2020’s Quarantine Blues – strongly suggests the arrival of songs celebrating post-pandemic life.

There’s indeed a sense of revival here, but this isn’t a release celebrating the reopening of restaurants and bars. Instead, it’s a deeply personal story of relationships and raw emotion, told by two voices – Zito’s yearning vocals and the evocative, omnipresent lines he coaxes from his guitars (including a K-Line Del Mar, Music Man Axis, and PRS McCarty).

Zito states his case via originals like “Dreaming of You,” a guitar-drenched track of unambiguous subject matter; the restrained “In My Blood,” which more than hints at commitment issues; and “Damned If I Do,” a searing slow blues. The title track, meanwhile, is a clear statement of love lost and love found.

Even Zito’s covers – including J.J. Cale’s “I’ll Make Love to You Anytime” and Willie Dixon’s “Evil” – fit seamlessly into the overall tapestry. Another, Blind Faith’s “Presence of the Lord,” easily stands as a highlight, with Zito injecting bluesy guitar fire into a rock classic.

A recovering addict, Zito knows about living in darkness. With Resurrection, it’s clear he’s seeing a lot more light.


This article originally appeared in VG’s September 2021 issue. All copyrights are by the author and Vintage Guitar magazine. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.

No posts to display