Artist:     The Cash Box Kings

Album:     Hail to the Kings!

Label:     Alligator

Release Date:     5.17.2019

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The Cash Box Kings bring their tenth album overall and second to Alligator. The traditional, raucous Chicago-based blues band is almost like a blues supergroup with their talented lineup that boasts two frontmen—Wisconsin harmonicist/vocalist Joe Nosek and South Side veteran vocalist Oscar Wilson, both of whom share songwriting duties too. Guitarist Billy Flynn is widely acknowledged as one of the most traditional blues players and Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, son of Blues Hall of Famer Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, is an in-demand drummer throughout the Chicago blues circuit. John Lauler plays both the acoustic and electric bass. Past lineups have included the late pianist, “Barrelhouse” Chuck and well-respected Chicago guitarist Joel Patterson. The band continues in their signature, deeply honed Chicago blues style for the tongue-in-cheek titled Hail to the Kings!

The two exceptions include their friend Queen Lee Kanehira rollicking on keys (and with support from a few others), the Cash Box Kings feature Shemekia Copeland on “The Wine Talkin’” and versatile Chicago musician Alex Hall on percussion for two tracks. The band will admit to being in the style of ‘50s and ‘60s bands of Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters but bring fresh material based on the usual blues themes and topical issues too. This holds up to the Alligator moniker “houserockin’ music” as well as any in their storied catalog. Don’t be surprised to see this band nominated for a BMA for Best Band as they were in 2018 and 2015.

They bring a sense of humor with the opening “Ain’t No Fun (When the Rabbit Got the Gun)” and later, poking some fun at Nosek with “Joe, You Ain’t From Chicago.” Wilson and Shemekia Copeland get along playfully in the duet “The Wine Talkin’.” More humor graces the contemporary “Wrong Number” but they prove streetwise on “Anything I Can.” There’s the glorious Chicago blues sound, and again some humor from Wilson, in “Smoked Jowl Blues.” Throughout, Nosek blows his harp aggressively and fluidly while Flynn’s guitar, as described by Nosek, is a “master class in old school blues.”

The two topical entries are “Bluesman Next Door” and “Jon Burge Blues,” the latter about the infamous Chicago police officer and the former tackles racism and prejudice. As Nosek points out, the band is about real life topics, be they good times, tough times, or bad situations. Just the same, they have a great time playing it, due in large part to the bond between founder Nosek and the vintage sounding Wilson, who is 20 years his senior. With vastly different backgrounds, they look oddly paired on the surface when in fact they are close lifelong friends. Wilson is godfather to his oldest son. The two co-write most of the songs, alternate on lead vocals and possess a palpable chemistry that inspires their bandmates.

Part throwback, part contemporary, The Cash Box Kings are just the infusion of energy the blues needs now, more than ever.

—Jim Hynes