Kim Wilson Lookin' For Trouble CD

Live Recording

Personnel: Kim Wilson (vocals, harmonica); Troy Gonyea (guitar); Gordon Beadle, Doug James (saxophone); Scott Aruda (trumpet); Mark Stevens (keyboards); Jon Ross (bass); Steve Ramsey (drums).
Recorded at The Electric Cave, Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Perfect Balance, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Tiki Studios, Glen Cove, New York; Duke's Mood Room, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Includes liner notes by John Swenson.
LOOKIN 'FOR TROUBLE was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album.
Personnel: Troy Gonyea (guitar); Gordon Beadle (tenor saxophone); Scott Aruda (trumpet); Mark Stevens (piano); Richard Innes (drums).
Liner Note Author: John Swenson.
Recording information: Perfect Balance, Ann Arbor, MI (03/22/2002-12/04/2002); The Electric Cave, Portsmouth, NH (03/22/2002-12/04/2002); Tiki Studios, Glen Cove, NY (03/22/2002-12/04/2002).
Photographer: Steve Roberts.
Singer and harmonica player Kim Wilson's blues set is a throwback style-wise to the 1950s. The jump blues really romp, whether they be instrumentals, novelties, or low-down blues, Wilson's harmonica solos are excellent, and his singing is quite expressive. He has a crack backup band, guitarist Troy Gonyea is a major asset, and there are occasional contributions from the horn section, but Wilson is the main star throughout, creating a great deal of musical fire. This infectious and driving set is highly recommended to fans of Chicago and swinging blues. ~ Scott Yanow
Though he's best known as the frontman for the blues-rocking Fabulous Thunderbirds, singer/harmonica player Kim Wilson has quietly carved out a career for himself as one of the most authentic-sounding blues players of the 21st century. Wilson is obviously well-schooled in the blues, and dips into the catalog of Chicago blues godfather Willie Dixon with aplomb on "Love My Baby," but he's equally capable of crafting original songs that honor the spirit of post-war electric blues without coming off as self-consciously nostalgic. The raw-but-right recording approach helps a great deal; the tracks were laid down in just three days with an extremely live feel that recalls the classic Chess productions of the 1950s. Wilson's soulful voice is emotive but never histrionic, and his down-and-dirty harp work lends an agreeable portion of grit and grease to LOOKIN' FOR TROUBLE.

Uncut (6/03, p.126) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Gems by old masters such as Jimmy Rogers, Snooky Pryor and Willie Dixon lend the proceedings the timeless quality that blues connoisseurs demand..."
Living Blues (9/03, pp.75-6) - "...Wilson's harmonica playing is riproaring but deft, his singing confident and spirited..."