SHAWN PITTMAN - REVIEWSHAWN PITTMAN - REVIEW

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House of Blues

Shawn Pittman

Something's Gotta Give -- CD Review

by Albert Torres
June 25, 1999

There is an inevitable comparison that comes with being a young Texas Bluesman. As much as any musician of the sort tries, there really is no way to avoid being measured by the standards set up by the great Stevie Ray Vaughan. Of course the combination of youth and guitar play have no finer home. And if you're going to be judged, there's no reason to be judged against anyone but the best for Shawn Pittman, whose devotion peaked when he abandoned his early playing on piano and drums for the sexier strides of the blues guitar he heard from Vaughan, this particular record acts as a necessary evolution to his sound. This time around Pittman takes on the full time duties of writing every track on the collection except for one old Guitar Slim contribution ("Something To Remember You By"). The endeavor results in a rarity amid a genre that thrives on the telling of classics. Pittman takes things the dirty way and as he describes himself, "I love that Hound Dog Taylor style, dirt and grime and guitar blues." He also manages to cross into a funkier blend of things as with grooves he provides on the instrumental "Get Started." No blues stone is left unturned as he tries out piano laced boogie on his set stand "Cruisin" and finally closes the album with "That First Drink," a bittersweet country blues picker that laments the woes of the sweet nectar of booze. Pittman digs deep for his blues and gives one faith that the next generation is keeping the form alive and well.