Guitarist Guy King is sitting comfortably on the fence overlooking the pastures named jazz and blues on his new album, Joy is Coming. With his clean-cut tone and easy-on-the-airs vocals he sails through life's hassles and mishaps, fully confident that it all will work out fine in the end. Seasoned author and songsmith David Ritz wrote the bulk of the lyrics, a sure fire guarantee for simple words that are loaded with something extra.
Yes, it's smooth and it is sounds a bit generic at times, but dig a little deeper to fully appreciate his mastery of his instrument and the carefully constructed arrangements, allowing both the strings and reeds to commandeer the spotlights. Joe Bonamassa added some spice to Devil's Toy and Vanessa Bell Armstrong brought her A-game, when she came in to add vocals to Up, Up, Up. King keeps the softer side of the jazz-tinged blues of his native Chicago alive with gentle swaying Sanity and Oh, Sarah. Joy is Coming offers old school entertainment for late night parties frequented by well-dressed people.
Guy King: vocals, guitar
Tom Vaitsas: piano, organ, keyboards
Joshua Ramos: bass
Samuel Jewell: drums, percussion
Marques Carroll: trumpet, flugelhorn
Anthony Bruno: tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone
Joe Bonamassa: guitar (Devil's Toy)
Vanessa Bell Armstrong: vocals (Up, Up, Up)
Joy is Coming is a self-released album (CD, vinyl, digital). Buy it from his website.
Tracks:- Joy is Coming
- Devil's Toy (featuring Joe Bonamassa)
- Choices
- Sanity
- Hole in My Soul
- Oh, Sarah
- Don't Do It (If You Don't Want To Do It)
- Up, Up, Up (featuring Vanessa Bell Armstrong)
- A Prayer for Me
- Looking for You