His hot guitar licks have powered an assortment of no-nonsense rocking blues units, including the Fabulous Thunderbirds and the James Harman Band, and now West Coast stalwart Kid Ramos steps into the solo spotlight. He doe... more »s so in fine fashion, and with more than a little help from his friends and employers, in an entertainingly eclectic showcase of his wide-ranging abilities. Both Harman and T-Birds frontman Kim Wilson, as well as Los Lobos' Cesar Rosas, are among the half-dozen vocalists who join in the festivities--but it's Ramos's wonderfully diverse guitar work that carries the show. The jukebox assortment of styles Ramos runs through includes everything from the sizzling Albert Collins-style instrumental "Cold Chicken and Beer" to the countrified acoustic "Walk-Around Telephone Blues," with a sizeable helping of horn-powered R&B for good measure. --Michael Point« less
His hot guitar licks have powered an assortment of no-nonsense rocking blues units, including the Fabulous Thunderbirds and the James Harman Band, and now West Coast stalwart Kid Ramos steps into the solo spotlight. He does so in fine fashion, and with more than a little help from his friends and employers, in an entertainingly eclectic showcase of his wide-ranging abilities. Both Harman and T-Birds frontman Kim Wilson, as well as Los Lobos' Cesar Rosas, are among the half-dozen vocalists who join in the festivities--but it's Ramos's wonderfully diverse guitar work that carries the show. The jukebox assortment of styles Ramos runs through includes everything from the sizzling Albert Collins-style instrumental "Cold Chicken and Beer" to the countrified acoustic "Walk-Around Telephone Blues," with a sizeable helping of horn-powered R&B for good measure. --Michael Point
CD Reviews
BRINGS THE HOUSE DOWN
Avalon Don | Huntington Beach, California United States | 04/01/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Because there are 6 different singers at first "Kid Ramos" sounded like a blues compilation. But after a second listen you appreciate the west coast dream team with the likes of Willie Chambers,Lynwood Slim and others. This is my favorite "Kid" cd because it has him playing superbly on a variety of blues guitar styles including slow stuff like "Helsinki Laundromat Blues" with James Harman on vocals and uptempo instrumental songs like "Bandstand Boogie". Thanks Kid Ramos for showing the world we have great blues, here on the left coast."
Saw him with the T-Birds, bought the CD
Balto Reader | Baltimore, MD United States | 07/31/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was in NYC over the weekend and caught the Fabulous Thunderbirds at BB King's blues club in Times Square. (A GREAT venue, BTW!) Kid Ramos was devastatingly good! He blew the crowd away. (Of course, Kim Wilson was no slouch either!). The next day, I went to one of the mega stores and bought this CD, and it really does him justice. An excellent variety of styles by an unsung virtuoso of the blues/rock guitar."
GREAT Austin Blues
C. Upthegrove | Marin County, California | 03/28/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've dug Kid Ramos as part of the Fab T-birds now for some time. I didn't know what to expect from his solo effort but I'm really impressed. He has assembled not only a great group of 'guest' musicians but also a great bunch of songs. Janiva Magness has that real Austin female singer sound. Kim is fabulous (what's new). Cesar Rojos is a must hear on 300 pounds. My recommendations "Just order this CD and enjoy the heck out of it.""
A truly great cd
C. Upthegrove | 08/24/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kid Ramos, the guitarist of the highly blues influenced rock band, The Thunderbirds, has just come out with a cd of his own. This cd has the best blues tracks on it that I have ever heard. He is a great musician and this album proves me right. Buy it."
Great Modern Blues Disc
political idiot | california | 09/16/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Wonderful release from an under appreciated California guitar player. Kid Ramos is an excellent blues artist and plays here with a variety of tones and set ups. Ramos is backed by some of the best musicians in modern blues today including: James Harman, Richard Innes, Kim Wilson, Lynwood Slim, Rob Rio, and others. The music is straight ahead Chicago style blues. It is a great listen from beginning to end."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1