I've been enjoying this disc for wayyyyyy too long--I should have written about it months ago, but every time I put it on I forget to write about it! The Joe Lewis Band is a three piece blues band based in central Missouri. They play the instruments and use the structures and flavors of the classic blues songs, but the lyrics are all pure gospel. You really have to hear them to see how well they make this work. The band is Joe, who sings and writes and plays guitar, and Ken, who plays bass, and John, who provides the solid back beat on drums. These guys are a very fine band! It's the sort of music you wish got played in church, and the lyrics are all pretty theologically sound. No, they don't play your father's gospel music. This is current and fun and energetic music. The Joe Lewis Band has played at the United We Sing Fest in Jefferson City MO, the Mid Missouri Biker Blessing in Centralia MO, and at the Blue Note in Columbia MO, and each time they have made a righteous impression, tearing down the house with their great playing and testifying. This is my all-time favorite cd to listen to with headphones on while I'm writing a sermon in the middle of the night and the rest of the family is all asleep. I have shared some of these songs in church, in bible study with senior adults, in ministry with teenagers and college students, one on one with other blues lovers--and I always have received a very positive response. My favorite song here is "If Not For Mercy," which starts out pure Chicago blues and then Joe and his guitar and the band take things straight to church. It's wonderful.
This is an indy release, but you can buy it by contacting the band at http://www.joelewisband.com
Tell them Bruce sent you.
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