"Tough Love"
Reviewed by Eric Steiner, Cosmik Debris Magazine, 1999
Long-time San Francisco area back-up guitarist Chris Michie is out front on his third disc CatchARecord Records, since Tough Love is well worth a listen. Chris has shared the stage with such blues luminaries as B.B. King, Albert King, Big Mama Thornton, Buddy Guy, and Elvin Bishop. In addition to playing with a who's who in the blues, Chris has played some of the Bay Area's trendsetting venues like The Fillmore, The Matrix, Winterland and The Family Dog. Michie's lead guitar sparkles on "Shaky House," an uptempo blues about life in an earthquake zone. He's got a full band with a capable horn section that ushers in the wistful "Don' Wanna Go," a song that gives voice to Viet Nam veterans who had second thoughts about returning stateside. My favorites include the straightahead jammin' instrumental of "The Terminal Dog," 'cause I can hear him bending notes just like Buddy Guy and a lot of other great blues players. Tough Love is a fun rhythm and blues record, particularly for fans of 70's style guitar solos. In Chris Michie's hands, these guitar parts soar.
Relix Magazine's Mick Skidmore says:
Chris Michie is a guitarist/songwriter that has a long history in the San Francisco area playing lead guitar for the likes of Van Morrison and the Pointer Sisters. Tough Love, his latest album, is a solid selection of originals with a base in blues and rock with a splash of jazz. Michie demonstrates that he is a guitarist of considerable talent, especially with his fluid, tough leads on the instrumental "Evil Employer," and the fast-paced shuffle, "The Terminal Dog." Of the vocal cuts, the best are the riff-laden "Burning Down The Wind" and the infectious AOR rock of "Use Me."
DWM Music:
The Chris Michie Band ÂÂ
"Tough Love"
A super tight band with Chris Michie's searing lead guitar and emotional lead vocals. All
original material with interesting themes and thoughtful lyrics that recalls the best of blues and roots rock artists. This is a polished collection from a man who has played with some of the giants (B.B. King, Taj Mahal, Boz Scaggs, The Pointer Sisters and Van Morrison). Chris
dishes up unique guitar tones and he ventures into the earthquake zone. The addition of a sax
just adds fuel to the fire. But, if you like guitar - be sure to check out "The Terminal Dog". It
does not stop! There is simply a lot of hard-rockin' satisfaction here. We are quite fortunate
to be able to offer this disc, from a man who has toured the world and could write the book
on the Bay Area music scene. 100% blues rock played straight and sweet. ÂÂ
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.cmichie.com
Track List:
1. Use Me
2. Shaky House
3. A Bone To Pick
4. Evil Employer
5. Gimpy
6. Don' Wanna Go
7. Burning Down The Wind
8. Sweet Disposition
9. The Method
10. The Terminal Dog
11. Anita Shodda
Suggested CDs:
Reviewed by Eric Steiner, Cosmik Debris Magazine, 1999
Long-time San Francisco area back-up guitarist Chris Michie is out front on his third disc CatchARecord Records, since Tough Love is well worth a listen. Chris has shared the stage with such blues luminaries as B.B. King, Albert King, Big Mama Thornton, Buddy Guy, and Elvin Bishop. In addition to playing with a who's who in the blues, Chris has played some of the Bay Area's trendsetting venues like The Fillmore, The Matrix, Winterland and The Family Dog. Michie's lead guitar sparkles on "Shaky House," an uptempo blues about life in an earthquake zone. He's got a full band with a capable horn section that ushers in the wistful "Don' Wanna Go," a song that gives voice to Viet Nam veterans who had second thoughts about returning stateside. My favorites include the straightahead jammin' instrumental of "The Terminal Dog," 'cause I can hear him bending notes just like Buddy Guy and a lot of other great blues players. Tough Love is a fun rhythm and blues record, particularly for fans of 70's style guitar solos. In Chris Michie's hands, these guitar parts soar.
Relix Magazine's Mick Skidmore says:
Chris Michie is a guitarist/songwriter that has a long history in the San Francisco area playing lead guitar for the likes of Van Morrison and the Pointer Sisters. Tough Love, his latest album, is a solid selection of originals with a base in blues and rock with a splash of jazz. Michie demonstrates that he is a guitarist of considerable talent, especially with his fluid, tough leads on the instrumental "Evil Employer," and the fast-paced shuffle, "The Terminal Dog." Of the vocal cuts, the best are the riff-laden "Burning Down The Wind" and the infectious AOR rock of "Use Me."
DWM Music:
The Chris Michie Band ÂÂ
"Tough Love"
A super tight band with Chris Michie's searing lead guitar and emotional lead vocals. All
original material with interesting themes and thoughtful lyrics that recalls the best of blues and roots rock artists. This is a polished collection from a man who has played with some of the giants (B.B. King, Taj Mahal, Boz Scaggs, The Pointer Sisters and Van Morrison). Chris
dishes up unique guitar tones and he ventures into the earthquake zone. The addition of a sax
just adds fuel to the fire. But, if you like guitar - be sure to check out "The Terminal Dog". It
does not stop! There is simply a lot of hard-rockin' satisfaction here. We are quite fortunate
to be able to offer this disc, from a man who has toured the world and could write the book
on the Bay Area music scene. 100% blues rock played straight and sweet. ÂÂ
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.cmichie.com
Track List:
1. Use Me
2. Shaky House
3. A Bone To Pick
4. Evil Employer
5. Gimpy
6. Don' Wanna Go
7. Burning Down The Wind
8. Sweet Disposition
9. The Method
10. The Terminal Dog
11. Anita Shodda
Suggested CDs:
- Ivan Hunter
- BLUES: Guitar Blues
- ROCK: Roots Rock
- FEATURING GUITAR