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L.V. Banks: Ruby
ByLike so many of his peers, Banks cut his teeth in the Mississippi Delta before relocating to Chicago. Inspired by Little Milton, Howlin' Wolf and B.B. King, Banks taught himself guitar and led his own band in Greenville, Miss., before moving to Chi-Town in 1965. Despite 30 years as a blues fixture in the city, Banks didn't secure a recording contract until 1995 when Austria's Wolf Records released his debut, Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear. Ruby
Little Milton's influence can be heard on the title track "Ruby," an upbeat love song with a funky groove. Banks' tremulous guitar licks lead the way on "Express Love" and "I Love My Guitar," two tracks strongly evocative of B. B. King. Though Banks' 10 original songs are peppered with guitar phrases borrowed from classic blues tunes, they groove along in raw Chicago fashion, and his band is nice and tight. Pianist Batts adds many agile two-fisted runs. The CD closes with a rousing gospel-inflected version of the Bobby Bland classic "Love Light." Also included is a catchy cover of T-Bone Walker's "Bobby Sox Baby."
It's good to hear a contemporary blues guitarist who's more influenced by soul and classic blues than head-banging rock. L.V. Banks has been around the block, and clearly he's learned a few tricks along the way.
Personnel
Album information
Title: Ruby | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Wolf Records
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