The beautiful surprises – they exist. This morning I found Joe Pitts Live CD, Payin ‚The Price‘ in my mailbox. The critics compare Joe Pitts – born and living in Arkansas – with Walter Trout or Duane Allman. I put him on a par with the great Jimmy Thackery.

 Pitts plays his Gibson soulful with a self-evident as only few experienced guitarists succeed. It sounds hard, violent and extremely bluesy. He whether changes his guitar during the show nor uses several square meters of pedals and refuses the big show.<br />     Joe Pitts already is long time in business. Since his studies at the Berklee College of Music, he is onn the go as a musician. With his Joe Pitts band, he has traveled the U.S., Europe and the rest of the world.

 We had the opportunity to see him in 2011 in Blues Garage Isernhagen. I was impressed by his self-composure, his clear voice and his impressive guitar playing including longer Slide parts.

The same applies to his band members, which he introduces as Arkansas‘s leading musicians: Al Hagood (bass), Chris Moore (drums, perc.) and Don Collins (Hammond). All they are seasoned musicians who guarantee an excellent sound.<br />  The album includes covers and original compositions found in balanced proportions. Joe Pitts arranged the covers in his very personal kind and totally avoids the boredom that might arise when you listen to the next version of ‚Black Cat Bone‘.

 ‚Payin‘ the Price‘ was recorded open air in 2013 in the Postmaster Grill, Camden / Arkansas. A very strong praise belongs to the sound engineer for the excellent sound quality of the CD.

‚Time is running out‘, a rather quiet Blues Rock opened the gig. ‚High Price‘ a Southern rock track and ‚Grits aint Groceries‘ force the pace. ‚Black Cat Bone‘ takes a little speed out then. Robert Johnson‘s ‚If I Had Possession‘ and Joe Pitts ‚Midnight Blue‘ (with a long ‚Jessica‘ quote) end the show. Joe Pitts runs on to top form, his slide guitar is thrilling and breathtaking.

 I was already fascinated by the album at first hearing - which is not so often before.<br />    The coolness the band shows fascinates me. None of the musicians distort a straight face, and why should we talk too much on stage? Arkansas?&nbsp;How did I get this impression? There is the concert on DVD in excellent picture and sound quality!&nbsp;

 I recommend this album and the DVD to each Blues fan, preferring seasoned musicians and clear, guitar-oriented, melodic blues (rock). Joe Pitts is a must in each well-stocked Blues record collection.<br />   &nbsp;