Although this artist's name may not ring a bell for you, in his homeland, Lino Muoio is a household name in the Italian blues community. The groups he's played in over the years have recorded nearly a dozen discs, played thousands of gigs, toured the European festival circuit and have appeared on Italian television shows.

"Blues On Me" is his first solo project and all of the eleven tracks are originals -Testi E Musica: Lino Muoio (Words and Music by Lino Muoio)- as it states in the liner notes. Joining the Italian Maestro, who plays Acoustic, Classical & Slide Guitars, Mandolin and Banjo, are: Guido Migliaro on Vocals; Stefano Piciorillo on Bass; Gabriele del Vecchio on Piano; Patrizio Buonaiuto on Drums; Massimo Furio on Harmonica; Mino Berlano and Francesco Miele on Bass & Double Bass; Mario Insenga on Vocals & Drums; and Gennaro Porcelli and Luigi Buono on Guitar. Phew.... I guess buying a vowel is out of the question.

"Consolation Blues" kicks things off and immediately establishes the fact that this fine group of Italian musicians has a handle on interpreting what the blues is all about. Lino Muoio is about as good as any modern day, front porch Guitar picker from the Delta that these ears have heard. Guido has a wonderfully melodic voice and Stefano and Patrizio were sharp and quick with the rhythm. This one had me snappin' and tappin' from start to finish.

Once you hear it, this track may not necessarily have you "Feelin' Down". As a matter of fact, if you dig the slow and low down dirty blues, "Feelin' Down" may actually have you feelin' good. Coming from a person who is not traditionally a fan of the Acoustic Guitar, these words should have a profound effect when I say that "the Acoustic Guitar work on this track is absolutely amazing". More good stuff from the same cast as above with some sharp Harp work from Massimo. Surely one of the discs highlights.

A lot of you will be able to relate to the lyrics on this one. It's a story about a hard working person who comes home at night then has to go back out to play in a blues band til the wee hours of the morning. You all know that situation is always known as "No Time Blues". Hmmm, how many "Amens" were just shouted?. Mino and Patrizio smoke it up on rhythm and Lino tears up a Mandolin and Banjo on this hot one.

None of the musicians can be accused of "Bad Job Blues" on this track. It features Mario sounding like a country blues veteran on Vocals while Lino, Genarro and Francesco form a formidable trio on Mandolino, Contrabasso and Chittara (Mandolin, Double Bass and Guitar).

As the expression goes, singing the blues requires "Paying Your Dues". From what I'm hearing, these guys paid them and they paid them well. This is good ol', Chicago Blues (minus the Electric Guitar) done perfectly. Lino, Mario and Francesco are at discs best on Guitar and rhythm on this one, which also features Gabriele smokin' up the keys. Another of the discs best.

I can't recall the last time - and for all I know, this could be the first time - that I've been this impressed with a disc featuring an Acoustic Guitar. Leave it to the Italians.

Ironically, in a conversation with Lino, he stated that "It's hard to play Blues if you're white and European so I've tried just to be myself and tell my own stories". To that I can now answer with this........."Lino, you were wrong about it being hard to play the blues if you're white and European because you nailed it my friend, and on top of that, your stories were interesting and told very well".

Other tracks featured on "Blues On Me" include:"Break Me Down", "Sunrise", "My Better Days", "Chinese Wood", "Roosevelt Stomp" and "Midnight Walk", which is a soothing three minute solo instrumental featuring Lino on Classical Guitar.

I'm recommending putting "Blues On Me" high on your "to buy" list. As a matter of fact, go to www.linomuoio.it and do it right now. While you're there, tell Lino that the Blewzzman says "Grazie e buona fortuna a voi. Spero che un giorno avremo a rispondere, fino ad allora - buon blues a voi il mio amico".