February 5–12, 1998

critic pick|jazz

Chico Banks

The son of legendary guitarist Jessie Banks, Vernon "Chico" Banks learned the rules of the blues in his parents' basement. He also learned a bit of traditional gospel, since the elder Banks played with Chicago's The Mighty Clouds of Joy on the side. But Chico, while playing with the likes of James Cotton, Otis Clay and Mavis and Pops Staples, quickly learned to break the rules. You can hear that testament to change on his Evidence label debut, Candy Lickin' Man.

Although Chico's guitar style is influenced by Afro-blues greats like Albert King, Luther Alison and Jimi Hendrix, and soul's finest six-stringers, such as Curtis Mayfield and Ernie Isley, he also mugs from Eric Clapton and Steve Miller (check the title tune). Wailing solos and an unabashedly sexy use of wah-wah swell up Candy with nasty, soulful sweetness. Backed by keyboardist Ronnie Hicks, bassist Ken Hampton and the Chicago Playboy horns, Candy Lickin' Man approaches blues classics with steamrollin' sweat: Albert King's "Down The Road I Go" and Elmore James' "The Sky Is Crying" are given chugging overhauls; "Soul Serenade," as an instrumental, gets a slow Booker T and the MGs going over. But Chico plays King Floyd's "Groove Me" close to the vest—cool and funky.

Yet it's Chico's five original numbers that titillate, offering the most options for sexy blues power. In the song "Red Dress," Chico (singing in a quirky vocal style that matches Curtis Mayfield to a forceful Jonathan Richman—no kidding) gets his baby a red dress that he's proud to have her seen in. And though he's promising an evening of fun, he's prepped for trouble, hanging on to a sharp razor and boxing gloves just in case anybody messes with her. Sounding throaty and enervated, the title track is simple and smutty with the promise of a good lashing. He gave the song's "lady" the same bite he did his guitar. And just so you don't think Chico's blues is obsessively horny or typically male, check out his song "It Must Be Love"; sung by down-home funk/gospel chanteuse Mavis Staples, the song stammers sumptuously from its own obsessive desire. Staples' powerful yearning makes you hurt like no candy licking Chico's ever had.

Chico Banks, Fri. & Sat., Feb. 6 & 7 at 9 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and midnight; Sun., Feb. 8, 8:30, 10 & 11:30 p.m. Warmdaddy's, 4 S. Front St., 627-8400.

-a.d. amorosi