Kenny Parker

Hellfire

Rock-a-while

Michigan born Kenny Parker began playing guitar in a local band when he was fourteen. While still in high school he discovered blues guitarists Albert and B.B. King. After graduating college he worked in a General Motors auto factory and began to moonlight at night. He worked with Detroit’s Louis “Mr. Bo” Collins and later the Butler Twins. In 1998 Parker released his debut recording “Raise The Dead” on JSP Records with both the Butler Twins and harp master Darrell Nulisch. He released his sophomore album “Yes Indeed!” in 2010.

Currently the Kenny Parker Band includes Parker, guitar; Dan Devins, harp and vocals; Mike Marshall, bass; and Dave Marcaccio, drums. Guitarist Jim McCarty, not to be confused with the drummer in The Yardbirds, joins Parker on six of the twelve tracks. McCarty’s credits include Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels; The Siegal-Schwall Blues Band; the Buddy Miles Express; Cactus, and The Rockets. Additional musicians include keyboardists Leonard Moon and Chris Codish or pianist Bill Heid. All of the songs except one are written by Parker.

Marshall’s bass opens, as Devins’ sings “I can have any girl in the world I want, but I’ve Got My Eye On You”. The twin guitars of Parker, and McCarty light up this socially incorrect but soon to be blues rock classic. Devins is also on harp while Heid is on piano.

On “Baby Come Back To Me” the guitar is all Parker as he is joined by both Moon and Codish, on piano and organ. “Blind and Paralyzed” is another great song from Parker with Brian Miller sitting in on harp.

“Bye, Bye Baby” is another good vocal from Devins while guitarist Parker is joined again by McCarty on slide. The title track, “Hellfire”, again features the two guitar attack. The closer “Hard Times in The Land of Plenty” is from Omar Kent Dykes as it was the title track to his 1987 album.

This is blues rock the way it should be played. Check out this fine album from Parker.

Richard Ludmerer