Iron Man (CD - 2008)

Contemporary blues guitarist Michael Burks returns with his fourth album, the powerful IRON MAN. Co-produced by Burks and Alligator Records owner Bruce Iglauer and written largely by Burks, these 12 songs are textbook modern electric blues featuring Burks's passionate gutbucket vocals and his trademark stinging lead guitar. Highlights include the powerful seven-minute epic "Icepick Through My Heart" and the soulful rocker "Strange Feeling."

Michael Burks' third release on Alligator Records, Iron Man, is as close to being a live album as you can get from a studio performance. This could be attributed to Burks using his seasoned road band on this date instead of the Memphis studio musicians used previously on Make It Rain and I Smell Smoke. Alongside Burks' searing Flying V strut, Wayne Sharp's greasy Hammond B-3 dominates this set, reveling in soul and rock influences, including a cover version of Free's "Fire and Water," a definite nod to the blues-rock audience Burks has gained over his 30-plus years on the road. While Iron Man is an overall inspired modern electric blues disc, a few missteps hamper the session. "Ashes in My Ashtray," penned by Chicago bluesman Jimmy Johnson, would have made a better instrumental in this particular case, as the lyrics get in the way of an intense Burks guitar performance. "Don't Waste My Time" is a pleasant enough midtempo track, but falls by the wayside compared to the gritty blues of "Changed Man" and "Love Disease." As on previous releases, Burks' explosive guitar solos are the most notable aspect to this enthusiastic, if somewhat predictable, outing. ~ Al Campbell minimize