Bobby Kyle

It’s My Life

Juicy Baby Records

Bobby Kyle has been serving the blues for some forty years. He mentored with Lonnie Mack in the seventies; and played in Bill Dicey’s band from 1979 – 1981. Between 1983 and 1989 he toured with Eddie Kirkland. Kyle joined Blues Hall of Famer Johnny “Clyde” Copeland’s band in 1989 and both toured and recorded with him until Copeland’s passing in July, 1997.

For the past twenty years Kyle has been fronting his own band, Bobby Kyle and The Administers, as he is guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and producer. He released his debut recording “After The Storm” in October of ‘97. Guest artists included Kirkland, Copeland and Copeland’s daughter, a young background vocalist, named Shemekia. Other musicians on that album included guitarist Pete Kanaras; pianist Floyd Phillips; drummer Barry Harrison and The Uptown Horns (Arno Hecht, Larry Etkin, Crispin Cioe, and Bob Funk).

Kyle appeared at The Pennsylvania Blues Festival in both 2015 and 2016. On Friday night he and The Administers helped to open the festivities by performing with Shemekia as she recreated many of her father’s songs.

Bobby Kyle and The Administers currently include Kyle, vocals and guitars; Everett Boyd, bass; Marc Copell, drums and percussion; Joel Perry, guitar; Joey Simon, harmonica; and Dave Keyes, piano, organ, Wurlitzer and accordion. The horn section includes Laron Land, tenor sax and horn arrangements; Alex Harding, baritone sax; and James Smith, trumpet. The liner notes are written by Michael Cloeren founder and producer of both The Pocono and Pennsylvania Blues Festivals.

Kyle has written six new songs including the absolutely fabulous “Lost and Found” featuring Land on the soprano sax. “Tell me what happened where did we go wrong…when I get my feet back on the ground, I’ll see you in the lost and found…three sides to the story, his, hers and the truth…”.

Keyes plays both accordion and piano on the Americana styled “Driftwood”. “I feel so bad, when my baby ain’t around”.

Then there’s the title track “It’s My Life”…”you see I’m already married to this road I’m on…it’s my life baby and I do what I choose, I’m a hard working man I’ve got nothin’ left to loose”. The same theme continues on “Highway Man”.

 “Blood from A Stone” features the horn section. “I Won’t Be Home Tonight” includes the lyric “looking for a place to stay…all fired up…checkin’ out on you baby…cause you don’t treat me right”.

Kyle’s selected covers pay tribute to some of his mentors and influences. “Daily Bread” written by Copeland features Keyes on the organ. “I’ve Got My Bloodshot Eyes On You” is from Kirkland.

“Tomorrow Night” was co-written by Sam Coslow and Will Grosz in 1939. Coslow was also a movie producer. The song was a hit for Lonnie Johnson in 1948 and recorded by Elvis in 1954. Little Sammy Davis is featured on harmonica.

“Someone Else is Steppin In” written by Denise LaSalle was first recorded by her in 1985 and covered by Buddy Guy in 1994.

“Tripping Out” is from Walter B. Sigler a.k.a. Bunny Sigler, a Pennsylvania native who passed away in October just two weeks before this album was released.

“Little Boy Blue” from Robert Lockwood Jr. closes out this fine recording. Kyle plays on a resonator guitar.

Kyle continues to serve the Blues. On this highly recommended recording he is at his very best.

Richard Ludmerer

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