Backtrack, riding high with a new hit album, opens for Victor Wainwright Friday night

Having Victor Wainwright and the Wild Roots around to kick off 2017 at the Palladium wasn’t enough for me. I needed more – so I reached out to the hottest local blues band – Backtrack – to open the show.

The Backtrack boys have sold out our nightclub many times, but these blues veterans – I remember seeing them in the ‘90s at the old Ringside – are hotter than ever. Backtrack Blues Band’s new album, “Way Back Home,” charted at #8 on American Blues Rock Radio and got airplay in Europe and Australia. The CD is still bringing new fans to this band around the blues world.

Friday’s opening set will be recorded on video and audio for future release by the band. You’re gonna wanna be here for this – even before Victor starts pounding on our Steinway! For tickets and more info call our box office at 727 822-3590 or follow this link for online ticket sales.

As I mentioned, the blues press is raving about Backtrack and the new album. But don’t take my word for it. Here are the comments, the reviews and the cheers from around the world:

Backtrack

No pun intended, but the real “draw” of the Backtrack Blues Band is the multi-wheezing prowess of Sonny Charles and his collection of harmonicas. The band of Kid Royal/g, Little Johnny Walter/g, Joe Bencomo/dr and Stick Davis/b swings like a tetherball, and they can shuffle on “Goin’ To Eleuthera” to step to “Baby Please Don’t Go” and go New Orleans funky during “Tell Your Daddy.” But all the while, Charles can growl like a hungry lion on “Rich Man Blues” hisses like a snake on “Help Me Just This Time” and hoots like a train whistle on the wailing “Shoot My Rooster.” The various tones and dynamics that Charles employs is impressive, and I’d love to have an instructional dvd of this one!

George Harris, Jazz Weekly, October 31, 2016

This Chicago style blues band who have been together for over thirty-five years playing out of their Florida base. This album is their fifth album and what a cracking release it is, mixing self-written tracks with some covers originally released by some of Chicago’s finest, it cannot be a coincidence that two of the band members’ names are Little Johnny Walter and Sonny Charles! The band are formed of five significant musicians who have played the blues for many years, these include Kid Royal on guitar and the aforementioned Sonny Charles who switches between lead vocals and harmonica. Included on the album across all tracks is pianist Victor Wainwright, a blues star in his own right, who for me is the final piece of the jigsaw which makes this a perfect blues band line up. The self-written material is very good, the pick for me is the infectious Heavy Built Women whose chorus I sang along to which caused a ‘looks could kill’ stare from my wife when she heard me, very clever lyrics and some excellent lead harmonica playing from Sonny, a surprising cover is Phil Lynott’s Baby Please Don’t Go which gets the rocking blues treatment, all in all a great mix of Chicago blues by a very polished band who have hit the right note with this release.

Blues Matters (England) – Issue #93

Backtrack Blues Band – Way Back Home is 10 out-of-the-box fabulous traditional Blues tracks. The band focuses on harmonica driven Chicago Blues with Sonny Charles leading the way, joined by Kid Royal on lead guitar, Little Johnny Walter on rhythm guitar, Stick Davis on bass guitar, Joe Bencomo on drums, and special guest Victor Wainwright layering in piano. Latonya Oliver and Dana Merriweather add their lovely background vocals to make this release one to own.

The 10-track release opens with three Sonny Charles’ songs, “Goin’ To Eleuthera,” which is flat out fabulous with a blazing harmonica intro and Victor Wainwright on piano who keeps the pace for this “feel good” Blues song. Next on the play list is Tell Your Daddy, which has some nice guitar riffs with Victor layering in the piano again on this fine piece. The band continues with Shoot My Rooster which has some nice harmonica passages that show Sonny Charles’ prowess as a master on both acoustic and amplified harmonicas.

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Debra C. Argen, Luxury Experience, October 2016

It’s about time you all get to know Sonny Charles and the Backtrack Blues Band. The first track of an album can tell you a lot about a band and what to expect from the ten or so songs to come. On Way Back Home, this Tampa, Florida band’s fifth release, we start off with a trip to Eleuthera in the Bahamas (“Goin’ to Eleuthera”) — and if “beach blanket blues” is a genre, this is the band who originated it. This is a blues band for sure, but some uptempo jazz and a bit of classic swing come through here as well. Whether you’re relaxing by the ocean in Ft. Lauderdale (where this album was mastered) or throwing back some happy hour specials at a dirt road bar, Way Back Home should be you day’s soundtrack. “On this studio record, we tried to capture more of a live analog sound,” Charles has said about the recording sessions for this album. “We think the CD has a warm and authentic feel that avoids the sterility that comes with many modern digital recordings.” True Sonny, so true. Track eight, “Baby Please Don’t Go” turns the classic “don’t leave me, please come back” tale into something fun. You have to put your drink down, and get yourself up to dance along with this one. And that live sound Charles mentions definitely comes through here. Charles (lead vocals, harmonica), Kid Royal (lead guitar), Little Johnny Walter (rhythm guitar), Joe Bencomo (drums), and Jeff “Stick” Davis (bass) create a winning combination on this album. Founded in 1980, Backtrack Blues Band has been one of Florida’s longest-running original blues bands, and with good reason. You really can’t go wrong here.

Brenda Hillegas, Elmore Magazine, September 25, 2016

On its fifth CD, “Way Back Home,” the first class band has recorded one of its strongest traditional blues records to date. Led by the double barrel attack of harmonica ace and lead vocalist, Sonny Charles, and the biting Texas blues guitar of Kid Royal, the Backtrack Blues Band is now poised to carry its musical message to a larger audience.-

Art Tipaldi, Editor, Blues Music Magazine, 2016

Brenda Hillegas, Elmore Magazine, September 25, 2016

Art Tipaldi, Editor, Blues Music Magazine, 2016

Kid Royal’s beautifully constructed guitar solos add layers of complexity to the band’s sound, serving as a counterpoint to the vibrant harp tones from Sonny Charles. The driving rhythms are set up by the capable hands of Little Johnny Walter on rhythm guitar, Joe Bencomo on drums, and Stick Davis (of Amazing Rhythm Aces, B.B. King, & John Mayall) on bass.

A tune penned by Charles, “Tell Your Daddy” boasts a hearty vocal and a killer guitar solo from Kid Royal. Charles delivers one of his strongest vocal performances on Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Your Funeral, My Trial,” utilizing his full harp tone to great effect while Wainwright’s piano playing fills out the arrangement. There is more hearty blowing on “Checkin on My Baby,” while on the brief “Nobody But You” Kid Royal’s efforts leave an indelible impression.

The closing track, “Help Me Just This Time,” highlights the band’s ability to play as a tight ensemble, aiming for a sound created by Muddy Waters and Little Walter. Grab a copy of this one if you favor the traditional electric blues styles because Backtrack Blues Band has got you covered from start to finish!

Mark Thompson,Blues Music Magazine, October 2016 edition

Backtrack practices a form of electric blues that you can’t fake. In other words, they will never be mistaken for slumming rockers. These are guys immersed in true blues and seasoned enough to deliver it without frills, albeit with the kind of chops that come from playing it a very long time. I wish more current bands upheld the blues tradition as ably and admirably as Backtrack. Standing out amid a small army of wannabes whose recordings expose their lack of schooling in the genre, “Way Back Home” takes you where you want to go!

Ramble.net; October 2016

Also heartily recommended is “Way Back Home” by the Backtrack Blues Band. They cover Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Your Funeral, My Trial” with the rampaging electric guitar soloing of Kid Royal (they may be from Florida, but the Kid’s hero chops are straight out of Texas). Singer/Songwriter Sonny Charles blows a bad-ass blues harp.” His songs, especially “Tell Your Daddy,” “Shoot My Rooster,” and “Heavy Built Woman” are funky and funny!

Mike Greenblatt, Classicalite, September 27, 2016

Way Back Home is guitar-based blues led by and drenched with singer Sonny Charles’ harmonica. I hear a dirty version of Downchild Blues Band when this is on, but others have likened this set to Paul Butterfield and early Fabulous Thunderbirds. One thing is for sure, this is roadhouse blues of the highest order- no wonder these guys have won awards and played at festivals around the world, having shared stages with SRV, BB King, Buddy Guy Robert Cray, John Lee Hooker, Johnny Winter and so many more, they’re THAT good.

John Kereiss, The Rock Doctor; October 4, 2016

It’s an utter, uncomplicated pleasure to find a band so unrestrained and so devoted to merging bluesy guitar riffs with heart swelling harmonica cries. This album triumphs thanks to the combined strength of all 10 songs and the driving musicianship behind them. It’s refreshing to hear the harmonica clamped between Sonny Charles’ lips that know how to blow, while his voice charms its way through the material with confidence. Then there’s the brilliantly stinging guitar work of Kid Royal, his southern blues honed chops adding an extra level of interest while swaggering into a convincing midlife crisis.

“Checkin’ On My Baby” gathers a veritable blues harmonica storm. Terrifyingly good!

Daniel Pavlica, The Rocktologist, September 2016

Backtrack Blues Band has been one of Florida’s longest running original blues bands, and their dedication to the genre is extremely evident. As an additional bonus, they brought in Victor Wainwright on piano.

The band’s original tunes have the sound and feel of songs written in the golden age of blues when Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and the like we’re in their prime. This is an album well-deserving of a Blues Music Award. It’s traditional blues at its finest. The musicianship is flawless, the arrangements are superb, the vocals are first – rate and the tunes are all played professionally. This is a superb album that deserves a spot in every blues lover’s collection. I recommend it highly!

Bill Wilson,Reflections in Blue,September 25, 2016

Led by the powerhouse vocals and harp of Sonny Charles and the Texas-styled guitar leads of Kid Royal, Backtrack Blues Band has just released their fifth CD, “Way Back Home.”

Longevity in the blues business is a rare thing, so you know the band has been doing something right. They pack dance floors everywhere they play with an infectious groove, and give the fans just what they want!

Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society, August 31, 2016

The new release from the Backtrack Blues Band is a highly entertaining collection of mostly original tracks of traditional blues. The songs they deliver are individual gems, with a welcome balance of stellar musicianship and story and style! All together, they form a solid album that will only benefit from repeat listenings. The blues have never sounded so fun.

Greg Victor, parcbench.live, Sept. 13, 2016

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, “Way Back Home,” from the Backtrack Blues Band and it’s solid. Opening with Going to Eleuthera, a snappy shuffle, Sonny Charles leads the way on lead vocals, and Kid Royal is hot on his heels on lead guitar. Rounding out the troupe is Little Johnny Walter on rhythm guitar, Joe Bencomo on drums, and Stick Davis on bass.

Bman’s Blues Reports, August 31, 2016

Backtrack Blues Band is one of those rare acts whose on stage excitement translates onto their records. The new CD “Way Back Home” absolutely, positively passes the “turn it up” test. Go find yourself a Heavy Built Woman and TURN IT UP.

Hank Kestenbaum, President – Red Hills Broadcasting LLC., WANK 99.9FM WHTF 104.9FM WQTL 106.1FM WWOF 103.1FM

Backtrack Blues Band captures the sound of the great Chicago Blues recordings of the early Chess years. Sonny Charles’ blistering harmonica riffs set the tone for “Way Back Home,” and he never lets the energy level fall. Victor Wainwright’s piano and the highly effective Kid Royal on guitar blend perfectly to produce a traditional sound sure to please!

Larry Lisk , WMNF radio, Tampa, FL and 2014 KBA winner for Public Radio

Backtrack isn’t afraid to play dirty and lowdown…. This blues is definitely worth searching for!

Alex Henderson, CD Universe

Backtrack Blues Band just opened for John Nemeth, on the main stage at the Tremblant International Blues Festival in Canada. They really delivered the goods!

Seasoned veterans in the blues, Backtrack went through their catalog, including songs from their new CD, “Way Back Home,” and the crowd responded enthusiastically! This was my second time booking the band, and they do not disappoint. Quebec audiences know when the real blues are going down, and they let the band know with huge applause and lots of CDs sold.

You will feel the heat with Backtrack Blues Band! Guaranteed!