Although his career spans four decades (as a member of cult acts
the Ad Libs and Moonbeam), blues-rock singer/guitarist
Michael Powers largely flew under the radar. But in the early 21st century, he was "rediscovered" in New York City, and has embarked on a recording career once again, first with 2004's
Onyx Root, and two years later with
Prodigal Son. On this album comprised mostly of cover tunes,
Powers has enlisted a pair of players who should be familiar to rock fans --
Sonic Youth's
Steve Shelley on drums and
Conan O'Brien's
Jimmy Vivino on guitar, among others. Overall, the music reflects other similar blues-rock revivalists of the modern age, especially evident by its clean production. Included are versions of such blues-rock standards as "Goin' Down" and "Train Kept A Rollin'" (has every single blues-rocker post-1970 covered these two tunes at one point or another?), as well as
Jimmy Reed's "Oh John." While certainly not musically groundbreaking,
Prodigal Son should appeal to fans of
Stevie Ray Vaughan,
Jonny Lang,
Los Lonely Boys, etc. ~ Greg Prato