Pictures

In 1999, veteran vocalist Davey Pattison finally found the time to record and release a solo album. Accompanied in the studio by a clutch of old friends, Mississippi Nights explored the singer's bluesier side. Pattison, however, first came to international acclaim fronting Ronnie Montrose's heavy metal band Gamma, and his rock roots show on his sophomore set, Pictures' wittily titled opener "Waiting as Fast as I Can," the smoking "Married to the Blues," and the heavy hitting "Judas," the latter one of the album's standouts. But the real pleasure of this 2003 album is the diversity of music found within. From the thumping R&B tribute to "John Lee, Jimmy Reed and Mississippi Fred" to the smoky jazz of "Gypsy Woman's Got the Blues," Pictures presents a snap-shot of Pattison's many loves and influences. Invariably he returns to the blues in a variety of stylistic guises, from the porch-sitting, fingerpicking "Wish" to the church spired "Just Who You Are." Spilling into R&B, there's the pianoman perfection of "Blues at My Window," the Delta stew of "Born to the House of Blues," and the rollicking ride to "Hollywood." Add a power and traditional ballad, and a couple of genre benders, and Pictures is the perfect Pattison panorama. Once again, Steve Canali's slide guitar haunts the grooves, and John Rewind's axe adds the thrills and chills. Kay Bjord's keyboards are a wonder to behold, while the bassists, drummer, and percussionist lay down a solid foundation upon which the musicians build. Nights was a delight, Pictures pushes Pattison to even greater heights.