The Bo-Keys
" Joe's Pub "
New York City October 17, 2011

"Contributing Editor Bob Putignano recently caught the Bo-Keys in New York City. Read about why he will be including their new release, "Got To Get Back," in his Top Ten favorites for this year." Chip Eagle Blueswax.com editor

With great anticipation I'd been looking forward to the Bo-Keys show in New York City; first and foremost I have never seen them perform live, secondly: I love their latest CD, Got To Get Back. No disappointments here, as the band pretty much stormed throughout their entire set culling new tracks from their current recording, and a few golden oldies that are related to their Stax history, along with special guest vocalist Percy Wiggins

They zipped through some of their tasty instrumentals (all from Got To Get Back) where highlights included the thundering "Hi Roller," "Jack and Ginger," the very bluesy "Sundown on Beale," and "90 Days Same as Cash," where it became obvious that this was going to be a strong performance. Then Percy Wiggins took to the stage and lead the band gloriously on "Catch This Teardrop" (also from Got To Get Back) and soul classics like "Never Found a Girl," and Al Green's "Love and Happiness." I felt that Wiggins' high point came on "Got To Get Back," a tune where the vocal chores where recorded by Otis Clay for the Bo-Keys (and that Clay also performed with his group at the Pennsylvania Blues Fest, reviewed separately in this publication) was the perfect closer for the set.

Needless to say I was very enthused about their performance and will definitely check them out the next time they perform anywhere in my path. In summary: for those who dig a deep soul sound with definitive Stax and Memphis roots, this band should be the right choice for you. It certainly works for me, so much so that their Got To Get Back disc will definitely be in my Top Ten favorites for 2011.

Bob Putignano a senior contributing editor at BluesWax. He is also the heart of Sounds of Blues at www.SoundsofBlue.com. Bob maybe contacted at: bob8003@yahoo.com

Bob Putignano: www.SoundsofBlue.com