With numerous Blues Music Award honors under his belt, Mike Zito, co-owner of Texas-based Gulf Coast Records (which has birthed a number of critically-acclaimed blues/rock albums since its 2018 inception), announces a February 18th release date for his new double live album set, Blues for the Southside.
Recorded on November 26, 2021 at the Old Rock House in St. Louis, Missouri, and produced by Mike Zito, Blues for the Southside showcases Zito (guitar and vocals) and his stellar band in full fury: Matthew Johnson - vocals/drums; Lewis Stephens - piano/organ; Doug Byrkit – vocals/ bass, with special guests including label mate guitarists Tony Campanella and Dave Kalz, plus guitar wizard Eric Gales.
The song list for that special night included tunes from Mike’s earlier albums such as First Class Life, Gone to Texas, Make Blues Not War and his Tribute to Chuck Berry, plus his takes on songs popularized by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Tampa Red, as well as a new song, the album’s title track.
Now based in Nederland, Texas, Mike Zito states that "Blues for the Southside is a special album for me. I have wanted to do a live blues album playing songs from my catalog with my current band for a while now. I wanted to go back to my old neighborhood in South St. Louis to make the recording. That's where it all began for me, where I fell in love with music. I knew friends and family would fill the Old Rock House and bring the energy I was looking for in this recording. I wanted Tony Campanella and Dave Kalz to join me as guests. I grew up with both of these guys playing in the scene in St. Louis in the 1990s. They are also both Gulf Coast Records artists. I was surprised by my dear friend Eric Gales who happened to be in town for a rehearsal. He showed up and I got him onstage to do an impromptu version of the original ‘Voodoo Chile,’ which turned out to be 12 minutes of pure guitar bliss. I am proud of this album and my band. I’m most proud of my hometown and my neighborhood, South St. Louis."
Praise for Mike Zito’s Last Album, Resurrection
“Mike Zito is, indeed, everything people say he is and more and the proof is in every song on this set. This is as good as modern blues gets.” – Rock and Blues Muse
“Another potent roots rocking album from a guy who has been there, done that and has the miles on his odometer to prove it.” – American Songwriter
“Resurrection is definitely a high-standard effort from a high-caliber musician. Don’t miss it.” – Blues Rock Review
Blues for the Southside Track Listing and Credits
Intro
Mississippi Nights – written by Mike Zito
First Class Life – written by Mike Zito
Blues For The Southside – written by Mike Zito
Texas Flood – written by Larry Davis and Joseph Scott
Mike Speaks
Hell On Me – written by Mike Zito
Back Problems – written by Mike Zito
Make Blues Not War – written by Mike Zito and Tom Hambridge
Highway Mama (featuring Tony Campanella) – written by Tom Hambridge and Richard Fleming
Love Her With A Feeling – written by Hudson Whittaker (aka Tampa Red)
Wasted Time – written by Mike Zito | Tom Hambridge | Richard Fleming
Voodoo Chile (featuring Eric Gales) written by Jimi Hendrix
Dying Day – written by Mike Zito
Life Is Hard – written by Fred James
The Road Never Ends (featuring Dave Kalz) written by Mike Zito and Devon Allman
Johnny B Goode – written by Chuck Berry
Mike Zito Upcoming Tour Dates
01/12 - 191 Toole - Tucson, AZ
01/14 - The Rhythm Room - Phoenix, AZ
01/15 - Humphreys Backstage Live - San Diego, CA
01/16 - Malainey's Grill - Long Beach, CA
01/17 - Maui Sugar Mill Saloon - Tarzana, CA
01/18 - Yoshi's - Oakland, CA
01/19 - Club Fox - Redwood City, CA Mike Zito & The Greaseland All-Stars
01/20 - The Siren - Morro Bay, CA
01/21 - Mystic Theatre - Petaluma, CA
01/22 - Sutter Creek Theatre - Sutter Creek, CA
01/26 - The State Room - Salt Lake City, UT
01/28 - Lobo Theater - Albuquerque, NM
01/29 - Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery - Santa Fe, NM
Additional dates forthcoming…
