With his magnificent album “Blues Called My Name”, released by the prestigious Blue Heart Records label, Anthony Geraci confirms once again why he is one of the most respected names in blues piano. The recording strengthens a flawless career, with countless recognitions like the prestigious Pinetop Perkins Piano Player Award.

Across ten carefully crafted and precisely displayed Geraci’s own compositions, the album masterfully moves between traditional Chicago blues, flashes of jazz, and the upbeat drive of boogie-woogie. Half of the tracks are instrumentals, serving as the perfect frame to showcase his jaw-dropping technique on both acoustic piano and the Hammond B-3 organ.

The album kicks off in force with “That Old Pine Box”, an up-tempo track featuring the splendid vocals of Sugar Ray Norcia and the vibrant guitar work of Charlie O’Neal. The title cut, “The Blues Called My Name”, dives into a deep melancholy, heightened by Monster Mike Welch’s stinging guitar. The vocal versatility of the production also shines on the heartbreaking ballad “Corner Of Heartache And Pain”, masterfully sung by Erika Van Pelt. However, one of the album climax moments comes with “Into The Night”, where Walter Trout joins in to deliver a soul-stirring solo in a perfect dialogue with Geraci’s keys. Backed by the rock-solid rhythm section of Paul Loranger on bass and Jeff Armstrong on drums, the band even explores New Orleans sounds in the exotic “Wading In The Vermillion”, enriched by Anne Harris’s violin. Finally, the album draws to an intimate and brilliant close with “Song For Planet Earth”, featuring a tender piano solo that summarizes the leader’s instrumental essence.

In short words, “Blues Called My Name” is a mature, elegant, and must-listen recording for any blues lover who looks for genuineness and virtuosity.