L.V. Banks – Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear – Wolf Records 120.887 CD

Awhile back at Mishawaka, Indiana’s famed blues haunt, The Midway Tavern & Dancehall, Rockin’ Johnny Burgin was on fire during a Sunday evening show, pulling out more-obscure blues chestnuts from the likes of Dusty Brown, when also during his performance he launched into a cut by L.V. Banks, the Stringtown, Mississippi-to-Chicago bluesman, one whose soulful vocals and economical-yet-wholly-pleasing guitar work won him legions of fans, resulting in him being a noteworthy performer on the big city’s blues panorama.

Awareness of Banks’ broad skill sets were widened when he signed-on with Wolf Records, the Austrian-based label that did, and does, much to promote Chicago’s blues scene.  This alliance offered Banks an expanded appreciation throughout Europe, too.

This 1996 11-song set, one that clocks in at just over 54 minutes, is jammed full of Banks’ sparse-yet-tasty blues guitar style, and resounding, expressive singing.  Chicago’s ACME Recording is to be praised for the impeccable sound found across this collection, with the selections having been laid down in October, 1995.

A journeyman Chicago artist of this magnitude highlights just how crammed the city’s blues scene was with such a high level of talent at one time, because today this reviewer is convinced Banks would enjoy a much higher profile than he did during his prime days.  By the way, Ruby, Banks’ 2000 Wolf Records (120.898 CD) release is also quite a splendid collection.

Highly recommended!