Gary Primich – Botheration – Black Top Records BT-1153

His time with us was a scant 49 years, but bluesman Gary Primich entrusted blues fans with a stellar catalog of blues releases, and built a strong reputation among blues pros and fans alike for his consistently tasteful and exciting work, both in the studio and on stage.

Born in Chicago, growing up in this reviewer’s home state of Indiana, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, and eventually settling in Austin, Texas, Primich was a heartening bright light on the blues scene until his too early death in 2007.

 Botheration was Primich’s second release for the Scott brothers’ Black Top Records label, and this outing announced to the world that Primich had fully honed his high blues proficiencies, and that it was time for the greater blues audience base to take notice.

Recorded at The Hit Shack in Austin, Texas, strong, assured vocals abound, while blazing harmonica sears and rages, with Primich having his hands in writing half of the 12 exceptional songs found here, the others including tasty covers of tunes by Charlie Rich, Dave Bartholomew, Otis Rush, and guitarist Mark Korpi.

There are vibes and musical frameworks aplenty; there is none of that repeating the “same ol’ same ol’ tired blues cliches across the oh-so-pleasing territory of this outing.

Primich and guitarists Korpi (plus lap steel), Jeff Turmes, and Steve James, bassists Randy Glines and Jeff Turmes, organist James Polk, piano player Riley Osbourne, and drummers Barry Smith and Steve Kilmer created a modern-day blues delight together that only harkens to what the long-term may have held for Primich.

Below is a list of the titles on this collection:

Song Titles

• Hardwood Floor
• Save It Up
• Queen Of Complication
• It’s Your Baby
• She’s A Good ‘Un
• Itch
• Goodbye Little Girl
• Dollar, Dollar
• Fast Money
• Rootin’ And Tootin”
• Daybreak
• Feel Like Going Home

Without question, highly recommended!