Blue Stew - Destination: The Blues (2000)

California-based Blue Stew serves up 12 tasty tracks on Destination: The Blues (Main St. Records). The band has been playing a mix of blues styles since 1994, and on this, their second CD, they show their versatility by doing mostly original material. Michael Miller-who handles lead guitar, slide and most of the vocal chores-wrote eight of the songs, while fellow guitarist John Boutell penned three. The material ranges from the Elmore James-inspired Chicago blues of "Don't You Want a Man Like Me" to the jazzy "Keep Moving Along," with great Hammond B-3 organ from Jim Calire and tasty tenor sax work by Steve White. In addition, there are cuts with boogie piano, ballads and acoustic guitar, as well as the CD's only cover, a slow, almost ominous version of Leiber and Stoller's "Love Potion Number Nine." These guys have honed their chops at Southern California clubs and as openers for groups including Duke Robillard, Little Feat, The Blasters, Roomful of Blues and others. It sure shows in this fun mixture of blues, roots and jazz. ~Mark Miller