Brad Stivers

Took You Long Enough

Vizztone Label Group

Brad Stivers grew up in California where his father instilled in him a love for roots music. In school he took up both sax and trombone. After moving to the greater Marysville, Washington area Stivers and his brothers played guitar. Influenced by B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Joe Louis Walker, he developed an appreciation for the blues. Stivers attended the University of Northern Colorado where he studied guitar and earned a degree in Music. Stivers represented his local blues society and participated in the youth showcase at the 2012 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. In 2014 Stivers returned to the IBC, representing the Colorado Blues Society, and was a finalist in the band competition. He now resides in Austin, Texas where he released his debut recording “American Music”.

Currently the band includes Stivers, guitar and vocals; Odis Hill or Bobby Perkins, bass; and Nico Leophonte, drums. The album is mixed by Leophonte and recorded at the Alnico Studios in Austin.

“2000 Miles” is the first of five songs written by Stivers who likes to add some twang to his blues. He takes an extended rockin’ guitar solo while singing “2000 miles and nothin’ for me and my baby”. “Put It Down” opens with a rockabilly styled guitar intro. The title track, “Took You Long Enough” is a bit of Austin funk. The other originals are “Can’t Wait” and “Save Me”.

The selected covers include two songs recorded by Ray Charles who knew a little something about mixing country music and the blues. “You’re Just About to Lose Your Clown” was the B side of his 1966 single “Together Again” on ABC Paramount Records; Bukka Allen sits in on the B-3 while Mark Wilson is added on sax. “Here We Go Again” first appeared on Charles’ 1967 album “Ray Charles Invites You to Listen”; Emily Gimble, the granddaughter of fiddle player Johnny Gimble, is featured on piano and harmony vocal.

My favorite track is “A Nickel & A Nail” written by Vernon Morrison and Deadric Malone and recorded by O.V. Wright in 1971; Malford Mulligan joins in on the vocal.

“One Night of Sin” written by Dave Bartholomew was a hit for Smiley Lewis in 1956, it was an even bigger success three years later when it was recorded by Elvis Presley; the guitar solo from Stivers is fabulous. “Cold Sweat” is the funky instrumental from James Brown that closes this fine album.

Although only Stivers’ second recorded effort, this album should secure him as a talent worth following. Check him out.

Richard Ludmerer

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