Kim Wilson – That’s Life – Antone’s Records ANT 0034

Following up on the Antone’s Records label from his first release for the imprint entitled Tigerman, a 1993 outing that was the first solo endeavor of Wilson’s outside of his celebrated work with The Fabulous Thunderbirds, this 1994 collection on the Antone’s Records label finds the bluesman surrounded by a “who’s-who” of the blues world including Derek O’Brien, Duke Robillard, Junior Watson, Clarence Hollimon, and Rusty Zinn on guitar, Calvin “Fuzz” Jones, Larry “The Mole” Taylor, Preston Hubbard, and Jack Barber on bass, Fran Christina, George Rains, and Richard “Big Foot” Innes on drums, Gene Taylor on piano, Sauce Gonzalez on organ, and a horn section that included Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff, along with others whose contributions to this affair produced the highest of results.  Simply, the whole of this bunch only further raised Wilson’s inspired singing and stupendous harmonica ventures.

Wilson impressively brings into view his obvious lofty regards for both Chicago- and Texas-inspired blues, shuffles, roadhouse spins, resolute blues-rock, and boogie expeditions, with the whole of this outing being a completely satiating blues jaunt.  As seems to always be the case, Wilson is at the peak of his powerful vocal proficiencies, and his harmonica forays are the very contexts upon which other modern-day practitioners should be assessed.

Wilson to this day endures a leading light with the likes of Arizona’s Bob Corritore, the west coast’s Mark Hummel and R.J. Mischo, and Chicago’s Martin Lang and Joe Nosek as those whose respect and admirations for the ageless sounds of post-war blues harmonica never frames itself on uninspired reproduction.  No, what Wilson offers here is his singular and always progressing impressions on those classic sounds, and with his wide band of distinguished music associates in tow, this collection is a delight from front-to-back.

Highly recommended!