I am jealous. Here you have a 13-year-old wonder kid named Nathan Cavaleri who has managed to record an absolutely fantastic blues-based album while I continue to work my 9-5, only dreaming of such success.

The truth is I was very impressed with the Nathan Cavaleri Band. This youngster, along with his tight group, deserve any and all accolades that are heaped upon them.

Mixing blues with early Motown-style R&B and a touch of rock inflections, the NCB delivers an album full of down-to-earth bluesy passion.

Young Nathan, who effortlessly alternates between lead and rhythm guitar, displays a virtuosity that is equal to many masters of the instrument. He draws his inspiration from the likes of Mark Knopfler, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Larry Carlton. Their various influences can be heard throughout the album, particularly on instrumentals like "Lou's Blues" and "Bluzchanan."

In addition to Cavaleri, the band is made up of Randy Jacob's (guitar), Teddy Andreadis (keyboards), Jeff Berlin (bass), and Curt Bisquera (drums). Vocals are provided by Sweet Pea Atkinson and Andrew Strong, who turns in a lively rendition of Eddie Cochran's "Summertime Blues."

On the surface, it would appear that someone as young as Nathan Cavaleri would not be old enough to have many life experiences to write about. On this album, however, he wrote or co-wrote six of the ten tracks. One listen to "Back To The Blues" or "Southern Nights" and you will find out this 13-year-old definitely has things on his mind.

The cover tunes chosen for the album are executed in fine style also. Chris Rea's "Workin' On It" and the Motown classic "If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want To Be Right)" are both brilliant. The band takes these songs and makes them their own.

The Nathan Cavaleri Band, and particularly Nathan himself, have made a bonafide statement about the blues. The album is excellent. Here's to much continued success.

Reviewer:  Greg Brown, courtesy of Flash Magazine.