Kevin Burt Stone Crazy (CD)

(Gulf Coast Records) 11 tracks, digisleeve

Kevin Burt has been plying his trade as an electrifying bluesman for more than a quarter of a century, in the process "dispelling the myth that true blues has no roots in Iowa." Burt delivers soul blues with conviction; he sings and plays guitar and harmonica. This is real front-porch soul. His voice draws you in, rich and smooth and emotive.

Master musician Mike Zito produced the project which was recorded at Marz Studios in Nederland, Texas. Burt wrote nine of the album's ten tracks; it makes perfect sense that the other track is Bill Withers' "Better Off Dead;" Burt's voice hews closely to the late singers'.