*** Dave Maxwell

MAXIMUM BLUES PIANO

(Tone-Cool)

Blues pianists get taken for granted all the damn time, almost as much as drummers and bass players. But letting the big daddy of the rhythm section wash right over you is a mistake in the case of Dave Maxwell. Boston bred and based, Maxwell has a list of sideman credits as impressive as the gleaming black top of a new Steinway concert grand: James Cotton, Bonnie Raitt, Otis Rush, Jimmy Rogers, Freddie King. On Maximum Blues Piano his fingers finally find the spotlight with a diverse set of (mostly) instrumentals that showcase his boundless energy, deep blues intuition, and considerable chops.

Maxwell is a consummate pianist steeped in the swelling sounds of Ray Charles, Otis Spann, and Professor Longhair. Taking his cues from these masters, he hammers surprising twists into rock-solid gospel, blues, and soul themes without ever straying far from the source. The ubiquitous Ronnie Earl adds the sweet sting of his guitar here and there. And, in recognition of the forgotten people, Marty Ballou is on bass and Marty Richards plays drums.

-- Bill Kisliuk