Dara Ó Briainanna Burns

The Classics volume on Anita O'Day covering 1945 through 1950 takes her through the first five years of her solo career - after her breakout with Gene Krupa (and "Let Me Off Uptown"), but before the immense success of her Verve years. The only hit present is the bright novelty "Hi Ho Trailus Boot Whip," but fortunately O'Day didn't record many castoffs then; instead, par for the course during the late '40s was her bluesy romp version of "What Is This Thing Called Love?," another Cole Porter tune recorded at the same session. Her sweetly swinging versions of "Them There Eyes" and "I Told Ya I Love You, Now Get Out" are excellent, and the backing includes high-caliber musicians Benny Carter, Dave Barbour, and pianist/arranger Ralph Burns.

Starting in 1949 Eddie 'Guitar' Burns recorded with John Lee Hooker and made records under his own name for Detroit based labels whilst never being a full-time professional musician.

A second CD for Burns follows on the heels of his National Association of Independent Record Distributors Blues CD of 1998, Leaving Here Walking. It's as good as that award winner, with Burns presenting the complete package of commercially appealing, blues-faithful tunes, mostly self-written. His guitar playing is economical but not sparse, tinged with excitable phrases but never over the top, the perfect cool, burning balance. Burns also has a fine band, with veteran keyboardist Allen Batts, bassist Sho Komiya, and drummer Kenny Smith (from Rockin' Johnny's band) and second guitarist Michael Dotson, whose taste and supportive nature is the perfect foil for the leader. Of these 14 cuts, three are some pretty convincing soul-blues à la Robert Cray, the best being "Spend Some Time with Me," including an outstanding piano solo by Batts. The easy rocker kicking off the CD, "No Consideration," has Burns at his emotional edge, frustrated by his woman, a great modern blues song. "Shake for Me" and "You Say You Need Lovin'" are crackling, and fiery horns accentuate "Baby Don't Do It" and "Too Much Loving." A quieter heat is prevalent during the shuffle "Hard Road" and the 12-bar guitar instrumental workout "Don't Be Late."

The younger brother of bluesman Eddie Burns, singer/guitarist Jimmy Burns followed in the family tradition, becoming a staple of Chicago's West Side club circuit after a long absence from the spotlight. Born February 27, 1943 in Dublin, Mississippi, he cut a handful of singles early in his career, but upon marrying and starting a family, he largely applied the brakes to his musical aspirations to focus on domestic life. Burns performed only rarely in the decades to follow; however, with his children all grown in the early 1990s, he rekindled his career, following up a hard day of operating his barbecue stand by cutting loose with a set of soulful blues at the Smokedaddy, his regular venue. In 1996, at the age of 53, Burns finally issued his long-awaited full-length debut, Leaving Here Walking. Stuck In The Middle is Jimmy Burns first studio album since 2003 and follows his excellent live set Live at B.L.U.E.S, released in 2007.