Artist:     Mike Zito

Album:     Resurrection

Label:     Gulf Coast/Hillside Global

Release Date:     7.16.2021

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Fresh off multiple wins for Blues-Rock Artist of the Year and Blues-Rock Album of the Year at the BMAs, Mike Zito has returned to touring and releases his 16^th album, but the first full band studio album on his own Gulf Coast Records. As life, and especially music, returns to some sense of normalcy this summer, Zito brought back one of his favorite producers, Grammy-winner David Z or the aptly-named Resurrection. The two have now partnered on seven albums.

Zito wrote eight of the 11 tracks and covered in his inimitable style JJ Cale’s “I’ll Make Love to You,’ Eric Clapton’s “Presence of the Lord,” and Willie Dixon’s “Evil.” Like many of us, Zito went through a range of emotions during the pandemic and this album is not just a release of pent-up personal feelings but a huge jolt of power, signaling the rebirth that is underway.

The opening Cale cover has that Tulsa rhythm but a “big sound” sonic assault that Cale never had, thereby putting Zito’s stamp on the tune right away. “Don’t Bring Me Down” is not the Beatles’ tune of the same name, but an unrelenting blues stomp, while “Dreaming Of You” is a mid-tempo blues with some soulful guitar lines and insistent drums from longtime collaborator Matthew Johnson. The other members are also regular bandmates and family including bassist Doug Byrkit, keyboardist Lewis Stephens, Mike’s son Zach Zito on acoustic guitar; guest Lisa Andersen (backing vocals), Eric Demmer (saxophone), and Fernando Castillo (trumpet) fill out the roster.

“In My Blood” is a lighter, melodic tune with gorgeous harmonies from Lisa Andersen. Zito then wrings every drip of emotion from Clapton’s “Presence of the Lord,” an arguably even more passionate vocal rendition and one that also rivals the original’s guitar treatment. “When It Rains” is a sweeping blues with reverberating guitars, a scorching solo, and a memorable hook – a standout track. Keep in mind that this is Zito on his own label, meaning he can play as loud and as rock-like as he wants, which he, in turn does, but his singing on the album is as emotive as it’s ever been.

Other highlights include the slow burner “Damned If I Do” with Andersen on harmonies again and a deep, string bending guitar solo; the horn infused “Running Man,” a radically transformed “Evil” and the closing title track, one of the best in Zito’s storied catalog. It’s a song he’s carried with him for some time now, about how he once lost his love, only to have it come back stronger than ever. One can almost picture this as a closer in a live set, with the audience crowding the stage, singing with him on the chorus – “We need a resurrection…We need a second chance.” In that sense, it’s anthemic but it just gets under your skin, and yes, it makes you rise as only a truly killer song can. It caps a formidable effort, putting this among the top three albums in Zito’s still rising career.

—Jim Hynes