Eyes Wide Open
provides a blues treat

Murali Coryell's album "Eyes Wide Open" is tasty blues, with the kind of soulful, passionate approach that you might expect from B.B. King or Sam Cooke.

Make no mistake, the younger Coryell can play his guitar. His background with his father and education that included classical guitar definitely show in his chops and precision. Wailing electric blues often slide into hot and rapid riffing. But the emphasis here seems more on the lyrical quality of the instrument, which cries and rings with the emotional intensity of the blues. Coryell's voice, as well, is perfect for the idiom, with a quality that belies his relatively young age.

Coryell has had a couple of bands that have been Hudson Valley club favorites, including The Ambassadors in the early '90s. In 1994, Coryell was teaching at Connecticut's Guitar Workshop when he met Duke Robillard. Robillard heard Coryell sing and was impressed. Robillard sat in with Coryell's band, then asked the younger musician to join him on a world tour. A representative from Big Mo Records heard Coryell play at one of Robillard's gigs, and signed him to the label.

Anyway, "Eyes Wide Open" is a fine blues album that ranks with just about any blues recording of recent years. If you are a blues fan, this is a highly recommended addition to your collection. As well, since Coryell is based in our area, you have some opportunities to catch his live act.

He will be performing tonight at 10 at the West Strand Grill's Downtown Underground, 15 Abeel Street, Kingston. There is a $6 cover charge.

For other concerts and appearances, check his web site at www.wild-rose.com/blues/murali.

Philip H. Farber