Smokin' Joe Kubek And Bnois King - My Heart's In Texas (2006)

J & J Blues Bar in Ft. Worth, Texas comes alive with the sound of authentic blues as Smokin Joe Kubek and Bnois King rock the crowd in a performance captured on New Year's Eve of 2005. In addition to an eleven song stage set that includes "Burnin' to the Ground," "My Heart's in Texas," "She's too Busy," and "Healthy Mama," Smokin' Joe and Bnois sit down with the cameras to offer an intimate interview, play an acoustic version of the track "Tired of Cryin' Over You," and present a few fan favorites as well.
Another young Texas axeman from the old school, Smokin' Joe Kubek issued his band's debut disc in 1991 on Bullseye Blues, Steppin' Out Texas Style. Kubek was already playing his smokin' guitar on the Lone Star State chitlin circuit at age 14, supporting such musicians as Freddie King. Soon, he formed his own band and began playing a number of bars across Dallas. In the '80s, he met guitarist/vocalist Bnois King, a native of Monroe, LA, and the duo formed the first edition of the Smokin' Joe Kubek Band. the Smokin' Joe Kubek Band began playing the rest of the Southwest in the late '80s. In 1991, they signed to Bullseye Blues, releasing their debut, Steppin' Out Texas Style, the same year. Following its release, the band launched its first national tour. For the rest of the '90s, the Smokin' Joe Kubek Band toured the United States frequently and issued records like 1993's Texas Cadillac, 1996's Got My Mind Back, and 2000's Bite Me. In 2003 Kubek and guitarist/vocalist Bnois King released Roadhouse Research on the Blind Pig label. The duo's second release for Blind Pig, Show Me the Money, came out in 2004. A single-disc collection of some of the best tracks from the Bullseye Blues years, Served Up Texas Style, came out in 2005. A third album from Blind Pig Records, My Heart's in Texas, was released in 2006. Another joint effort with King, Blood Brothers, appeared in 2008. Kubek and King followed it with Have Blues Will Travel in 2010.
Bnois King b. 21 January 1943, Delhi, Louisiana, USA. Playing guitar from around the age of eight, King heard gospel music in church but leaned towards jazz having enjoyed the music played on local radio stations. At high school he benefited from playing in a big band, although, as he disarmingly commented to Internet interviewer Don O., he hardly played his instrument, he just stood there and held it because at that time, guitars were in. Hoping to develop a career in music he moved to Houston, Texas, then Amarillo, Wichita Falls, gradually building technical ability and confidence. In the early 70s he abandoned music for a while but took up playing again in mid-decade. By 1979 he was performing regularly in Dallas and Fort Worth, continuing into the early 80s.
Around this time King encountered electric guitarist Smokin’ Joe Kubek but they did not get together until some time later. When they did, the two musicians found instant rapport, even though stylistically they were quite different: Kubek, rock-influenced and aggressive; King, jazz-influenced and relaxed. By the end of the 80s they were teamed up on a regular basis and touring extensively, if to little financial reward. Along the way, King began singing occasional songs during the duo’s gigs and found strongly approving audience response. Building his vocal repertoire from neglected blues songs, the following for their unusual blending of subtle jazz-inflected playing and attacking no-holds-barred power continued to grow. Their tours continued and their albums expanded their audience still further afield. By the early 00s, King and Kubek were hugely popular and showing no loss of enthusiasm for their peripatetic lifestyle and always intriguing approach to the blues.

Tracklist:
01. Burnin' to the Ground [4:43]
02. I Saw it Coming [3:09]
03. Crazy World [8:24]
04. My Heart's in Texas [2:47]
05. Tell Me Why [4:20]
06. Better Be Getting it On [3:32]
07. Where I Want to Be [9:31]
08. She's Too Busy [4:16]
09. I Need More [6:05]
10. Make it Right [4:15]
11. Healthy Mama [7:04]

Extra:
- Smokin' Joe & Bnois Interview
- Bonus Track "Tired Of Cryin' Over You" (Accoustic Version)
- Fan Favorites
- Credits
- Website Link


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