“There’s a lot going on right now” explains the man onstage. A new solo Album, a new Bloodbrothers one with Albert (Castiglia), A Rockpalast live CD (recorded at Bonn Harmonie). But THIS is all I really wanna do!” and he’s counting down the next song on the setlist to his band. Mike Zito is back in Bonn and it’s time for the blues…
If playing live is truly Zito’s favourite occupation then he must be one of the luckiest men alive. He seems to be perpetually on the road especially in the States. Most notably in the last year or so alongside fellow Stateside axeman Albert Castiglia accompanying none other than Ghostbuster Bill Murray. That billing with Murray is unlikely to cross the border, but it could well be argued that the stripped down deal we get in Europe is the better one anyway. And when I say ‘stripped down’ I really mean it. Forget Bonamassa’s guitar rack that resembles a well equipped Thoman’s music store – Mr Zito walks onstage with just one black Gibson Les Paul and that’s it! No keyboards, ‘just’ a drummer and bassman.
Did I say ‘just’? well Matt Johnson is a drummer par-excellence and what can I say about Scott Sutherland? He’s played with just about every contemporary Blues great you can name and won countless awards. His playing throughout the evening was a joy and his solo on ‘Back Problems’ was a highlight of the year so far – can a bassplayer replace a keyboard? I would have said no until this evening…
Mike Zito’s last appearance here was in October 2024 for a Rockpalast show (the one due for release as a disc in its own right I believe). My memory and my pictures from that evening show him playing just a black Stratocaster all night. Well, tonight’s single instrument of choice is a black Les Paul. Mike, ever the romantic, tells me later that this is actually only his second favourite guitar – his favourite being the one given to him by his wife Jackie. For that reason it’s too precious to tour with. He doesn’t need the extra guitar baggage anyway, letting his fingers and occasionally pedals do the soundscaping. In my view if you’re talking about modern day guitar heroes like Bonammassa and Walter Trout then the name Zito should also be in your conversation. He doesn’t play his solos to fit the guitar, but to fit the song. It’s only on the closing‘All Last Night’ when he pulls out a box of musical tricks that even includes a bit of DJ scratching.
Yes it’s the songs that decide the playing for Mike Zito and although much of the set is similar to his last visit, there are three new numbers off of the up-coming new release ‘Outside or the Eastside’ to enjoy. The title number itself opens the set and glides us perfectly into the musical mood. ‘Hell on Me’ and ‘Kiss You All Over’ are lively paced Bluesrockers but in a somewhat lighthearted Blues vein. ‘Don’t take advantage of me’ is a great live number with a hook to get right into your head and stay there. The whole new disc is a gem – not due for release until April it’s available on the road prior to this “Because I own the record Company it’s on” he smiles. It’s probably the only way to make money from music these days.
A couple of the numbers played are clearly particular favourites of the Man himself. ‘Outside or the Eastside’ is one of them, a celebration of days spent being forced out of St Louis Clubs at 3 am and then going over the river to the Eastside where bars and clubs stayed open 24 hours a day. Here we are in Bonn and 10 pm is watershed time for pretty well everything. Progress? ‘Blues for the Southside’ seems to re-dress the geographical balance somewhat and I detect some celtic influences in the melody at times which make me think of Gary Moore (and that is a happy thought!)
There are two discs in my possession that I love but very rarely play. Both of them because the human sadness behind some of the music is painfully palpable. One is Clapton’s ‘Pilgrim’ with ‘My fathers eyes’ and most memorably ‘Circus left town‘ remembering his son’s tragic death. The other is Mike Zito’s ‘Life is Hard’ containing the chilling ‘Death don’t have no mercy’ and the beautiful ‘Forever my love’. The last of these is a promise made by Mike to his late wife Laura as she lay dying from Cancer – and either he is a damn good actor or that pain is still there as he lifts his eyes up to the heavens tonight to sing the lines:
“Now that you’re gone. This love carries on. From your soul to mine. I will let it shine!”
An evening then of great, often intense, music. I say it often on this site, but the music that moves me most is music that moves the singer/writer performing it. That is what you get with Mike Zito – along with one of the best bluesrock guitarists out there. He still has that tatoo on his arm quoting Luther Allison: “Leave your ego. Play the music. Love the people” and it’s still his credo. There’s a Van Halen logo on his hand too now although he keeps the Rock riffs in check for the most part – just a nod to Led Zepp’s ‘Whole lotta love’ during ‘Judgement Day’. If He gets a little self-indulgent during the closing ‘All last night’ , well, he’s earned the right to play for himself after playing so splendidly for us.
There’s a promise to return in 2027, but heck, given the possible permutations, Mike Zito could come back with a fresh band and set every week. I’ve seen him now on Ruf’s Blues Caravan, with Royal Southern Brotherhood, with Samantha Fish, with Jeremiah Johnson, with Albert Castiglia… Every time it’s been an absolute pleasure. To quote your 2016 album title Mike – ‘Keep coming back!’
