Van Wilks is a Texas-based blues rocker who plays a mean guitar. His newest release, 21st Century Blues, is a solid testament to Wilks’ blazing skills.
A longtime fixture in the Austin, Texas music scene, the Galveston-born Wilks recorded his first solo album – Bombay Tears – in 1980. Â His straight-forward blues-rock echoes Texas musical legends ZZ Top.
On 21st Century Blues, Wilks’ kinship with ZZ Top extends even further than the obvious stylistic affinity, with one song previously recorded by Top – “Drive By Lover” – being co-written by Wilks and friend Billy Gibbons. Among the album highlights are the haunting, soulful “Just Walk Away,” the crusty “There’s a Sin in There Somewhere,” and “She Makes Me Crazy,” a song written by Christopher Cross (yes, the “Sailing” guy) on which Cross and Austin-based singer Malford Milligan provide their services as guest artists. Also, the final selection, “Midnight Crossing,” is a tasty atmospheric instrumental.
Audio Stream: Van Wilks, “There’s a Sin in There Somewhere”
[audio:https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/7770435/05%20There’s%20A%20Sin%20In%20There%20Somewhere.mp3]
About the author: Bill Wilcox is a roots music enthusiast recently relocated from the Washington, DC area to Philadelphia, PA and back again.