Bobby Messano - Holdin' Ground (2003)

Bobby Messano has more than 35 recordings to his credit, including work with Lou Gramm,Steve Winwood and Clarence Clemmons. The 45-minute set here opens with a title track that features blazing guitar over a slow groove. The bottlenecked dobro in Hard World makes way for an overdriven and drum-heavy ride. While Get Up & Dance (With The Blues) sounds like an Earth,Wind and Fire outtake. The disc’s best moments come in Dominion Roads whereMessano fires off rapid clusters of scorching guitar over a thick bottom. As a vocalist, he’s workmanlike at times and gripping at others. Solid Blues Rock. by Craig Ruskey