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The Latvian Blues Band
Unreal
Blue Skunk
Music
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The Latvian Blues Band (Janis Bukovskis –
vocal, guitar; Rolands Saulietis – drums; Reinis
Ozolins – bass; Rihards Berzins – piano, organ) has
been performing together since 1997, working in
their native country of Latvia and also throughout
Europe and Canada. They’ve toured in the United
States occasionally, appearing at the Chicago Blues
Festival, and most recently, they participated in
the 2010 International Blues Challenge in
Memphis. They’ve backed such blues luminaries as Bob
Margolin, Carey Bell, John Primer, Louisiana Red,
and Duke Robillard.
Robillard was so impressed by the band’s mastery of
American blues, soul, and R&B, as well as their own
convincing compositions in the same styles, that he
produced the band’s debut studio release, Unreal
(Blue Skunk Music). If you like traditional blues,
then this disc is right up your alley, with 14
tracks, ten originals and four cover tunes.
What’s best about this band is their versatility and
that they’re not afraid to mix things up a little
bit. Check out the first tune, Willie Dixon’s
“Evil.” It is transformed from the downhome blues
mode associated with Howlin’ Wolf into a slick soul
number out of ’60s era Memphis, with an impressive
vocal from guitarist Bukovskis. The New Orleans R&B
number, “Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand,” features some
slick dobro work mixed in with the funky rhythm.
The band’s originals are also very good and mesh
well with the standards. They include “Confused,”
“Feel Like Cryin’,” “Unreal,” “Let The Door Hit
You,” “Lost,” and “5 Minutes Too Late.” Bukovskis
shows tremendous potential as a singer and guitarist
and the band’s support is stellar. On selected
tracks, they are accompanied by a four-piece horn
section, and Robillard plays guitar on a couple of
tracks. Robillard’s production work is first-rate
and definitely helps the band capture that
traditional blues sound.
There’s a lot of overseas talent helping to keep the
blues alive and the Latvian Blues Band is one of the
best examples. Fans of traditional blues from the
’50s and ’60s will find a lot to like with this set.
--- Graham Clarke
