The Phantom Blues Band were originally brought together to back
Taj Mahal on his 1993 album
Dancing the Blues. After 13 years of occasional tours both with and without
Mahal, the group finally debuted on its own with
Out of the Shadows, a genial set of blues-rock workouts. The heart of the seven-player band is the combo of organist
Mike Finnigan and lead guitarist
Johnny Lee Schell, who trade vocals and solos throughout
Out of the Shadows; Austin saxophone legend
Joe Sublett makes his presence felt as well. The 15 tracks feature a few pleasant band originals, but most of the set list consists of Chicago blues and R&B standards like
Lowell Fulson's "My Aching Back" and a grooving take on
Chuck Berry's "Havana Moon." Solid, unpretentious blues-rock like this only appeals to a relatively small audience these days, but that audience will love the Phantom Blues Band. ~ Stewart Mason