Amos Garrett - Off The Floor Live ! (1996)

This is the first live album of this Canadian guitar virtuoso with the wonderful mellow baritone voice (mindful of foggy nights on the West Coast). Amos Garrett and his band, the Eh Team, are in great shape here, just moving along and laying down a very satisfying and moving groove. The many forms of the blues -- from laid-back big-band jump blues to the big-city Chicago sound, country blues, and rip-out-the-stops electric blues -- are all displayed here, with Garrett's rich voice and stunning guitar work leading everything along. This is no pick-up band. After playing together for ten years, their grown-together familiarity is apparent all throughout the disc, and they also get their individual chances to shine in many places. Ron Casat ably takes the vocal chores on his writing contribution, "Looking for a Sign." The shining gem on this excellent live album is the old Santo & Johnny tune "Sleepwalk"; listen to the daring guitar work Garrett takes to the edge with this tune. Or you might want to give a good loud listen to "Willie and the Hand Jive," the Johnny Otis classic; just try keeping your feet off the dancefloor during this astonishing version. ~Bob Gottlieb