Josh Boyd & the V.I.P. Band list as their influences such artists as James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Earth, Wind, & Fire, the Gap Band, Albert King, and Albert Collins. That’s a diverse group, to be sure, but believe it or not, the band touches on nearly all of these sounds in their self-titled, self-released disc.

To be sure, Boyd has guitar chops to burn and can blow the doors off when he feels like it (“Can’t Stop Your Love,” “I Don’t Wanta Think About It,” “High Heels”), but he’s also capable of getting funky as well on tracks like “Free,” “What’s Turning You On,” and “Funky Popstand.” The autobiographical “Down On The East Side” tells how he made his move to the blues and the guitarists who influenced him, including his father. The closing track, “Sometimes,” is a show-stopper and mixes rock, blues, and funk. I defy you to sit still while it’s playing..

This disc is a completely intense, high-energy set, with no let up between songs. There are no ballads here, just pure unadulterated blues, rock, and funk. The V.I.P. Band consists of Junior Springs (bass) and Charles Gaston (drums). If you look up “in the pocket” in the dictionary, you’ll find a picture of them..

If you like the up and coming blues guitarists like Anthony Gomes, Kenny Wayne Shepherd or Joe Bonnamassa, you will love this CD, pure and simple. Go to www.superboyd.com for more information on the band and to check out some of the tracks on this disc.

— Graham Clarke - Blues Bytes

Blues Bytes was the winner of the 2006 “Keeping The Blues Alive” award from the Blues Foundation in the Blues on the Internet category.

Thanks to our loyal readers for making this recognition possible!