Prodigal Son

• Artist: Michael Powers
• Rating:
• Release Date: October 03, 2006
• Genre: Rock

Review

Although his career spans four decades (as a member of cult acts the Ad Libs and Moonbeam), blues-rock singer/guitarist Michael Powers largely flew under the radar. But in the early 21st century, he was "rediscovered" in New York City, and has embarked on a recording career once again, first with 2004's Onyx Root, and two years later with Prodigal Son. On this album comprised mostly of cover tunes, Powers has enlisted a pair of players who should be familiar to rock fans -- Sonic Youth's Steve Shelley on drums and Conan O'Brien's Jimmy Vivino on guitar, among others. Overall, the music reflects other similar blues-rock revivalists of the modern age, especially evident by its clean production. Included are versions of such blues-rock standards as "Goin' Down" and "Train Kept A Rollin'" (has every single blues-rocker post-1970 covered these two tunes at one point or another?), as well as Jimmy Reed's "Oh John." While certainly not musically groundbreaking, Prodigal Son should appeal to fans of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jonny Lang, Los Lonely Boys, etc. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Goin' Down	Michael Murchison	Michael Powers	(3:45)
It's a Bloody Life	Sonny Boy Williamson	Michael Powers	(3:20)
Prodigal Son	Michael Murchison	Michael Powers	(4:37)
White Lightning	Michael Murchison	Michael Powers	(4:06)
Wild Side	Michael Murchison	Michael Powers	(3:59)
Every Grain of Sand	Bob Dylan	Michael Powers	(4:49)
Lay the Hooch	Michael Murchison	Michael Powers	(2:41)
Oh John		Michael Powers	(3:33)
Signed D.C.	Arthur Lee	Michael Powers	(4:33)
Compassion	Jimmy Vivino, Michael Murchison	Michael Powers	(4:36)
You Got to Go Down	Blind Gary Davis	Michael Powers	(4:30)
Train Kept a Rollin'	Tiny Bradshaw, Lois Mann	Michael Powers	(3:14)