Growing up in ’60s Buffalo, New York, multi-instrumentalist, Lucky Peterson’s father ran the only blues club in town. Here the future contender was exposed to many of the blues greats of the era. Lapping up everything he heard, he learned to play drums, organ and guitar almost before he could walk and made his first record (produced by Willie Dixon) at age five. Equally inspired by Gospel, funk, rock and even hip hop, all his influences come together on this terrific album.
Appropriately, ‘Blues In My Blood’ kicks things off with Peterson’s gritty vocals to the fore, while a powerhouse band brew up a storm. Bobby “Blue” Bland is a clear influence: Lucky delivers a smouldering version of Bland’s ‘I Pity The Fool’ complete with punchy horn section. Wilson Picket’s ‘Funky Broadway’ is given a modern treatment with some rap vocals. More surprising, perhaps, is the inclusion of Johnny Nash’s ‘I Can See Clearly Now’, which Peterson transforms from its reggae origins into a Gospel belter.
Of the originals, the title-track recalls BB King in his prime (‘The Thrill is Gone’) while the Hammond organ-soaked ‘I’m Still Here’ sees Peterson defiantly staking his claim to the modern day blues throne.
A fast-paced instrumental with a big band sound, ‘Lucky Dog’ showcases Peterson and his sidemen firing on all cylinders. He closes with a soul-saving call-and-response Gospel tune, also titled ‘I’m Still Here’. Peterson visits Dublin shortly – not to be missed!

Key Track - 'The Son of A Bluesman'