Take Your Best Shot

Smokin' Joe Kubek is a powerful and often quite intense guitarist who creates a wide variety of unusual sounds and makes expert use of distortion on the rockish side of the blues. He has long teamed up with the passionate yet laid-back vocalist Bnois King (who also plays rhythm guitar) and the combination works well; the two musicians often sound as if they are the same person. Most of the selections on this CD (their sixth for Bullseye in seven years) are played by their basic two-guitar quartet with extra percussion and two background vocalists added to a pair of songs apiece, along with guest appearances by Jimmy Thackery and Little Milton. Fans of Stevie Ray Vaughan and blues guitarists who are touched by Jimi Hendrix will want this enjoyable set.