Michael Burks

Cutting a wide and intoxicating swath with his ferocious electric blues, Michael Burks comes on like a formidable force of nature, fat licks flashing off his guitar like sweet lightning, honey dripping off nearly every syllable of his gruff, soulful vocals. Burks's intense performances have earned him the nickname Iron Man, also the title of his latest album for Alligator. Opting to use his savvy road band instead of studio musicians, Burks and his cohorts wade into the material (more than half originals) like they're aiming for serious damage, then mop up the debris by trailing Burks's raging guitar as it sears its way toward electric blues nirvana. Some of the songs are sketchy, really launching pads for Burks's blistering solos, which ride his Flying V to the stratosphere on nearly every cut. There's a pair of meatier tunes co-written with Alligator boss Bruce Iglauer, a couple of nice slow blues, and a rocking romp through the old Free nugget "Fire and Water." But Burks is all about playing with fire, and enjoying the glorious explosions that follow.
Thu., July 31, 9 p.m., 2008