Lesser known are de Keyzer’s skills as a singer and songwriter. Both are showcased to fine effect on “Blues Thing,” an all-original platter produced by de Keyzer and longtime cohort Alan Duffy. And in a world where most so-called original compositions consist primarily of clichéd retreads, de Keyzer has crafted a disc that stands out for it’s relatively positive perspective.

Things kick off nicely with “Music Is The Food Of Love,” a punchy, horn-fuelled workout that fairly bursts with the sheer joy of making music. Strike one for happiness …

Next up is “If I Had Your Love,” which rides a slippery groove punctuated by conga drums and just enough background vocals to lift the song into the realm of optimistic assertion.“Blues Thing” features a thoroughly contemporary feel with it’s layered horns and burbling electric piano, but as a cataloging of causes it shows the blues still spring from the same old heartaches and frustrations. It’s mirrored by “That’s The Only Time,” similar in tempo and approach and again featuring Michael Fonfara’s electric piano and some shimmering percussive effects along with de Keyzer’s jazz-tinged guitar work.

“Bills” is another funky workout, de Keyzer broadening his palette with some rubbery clavinet-like effects on a tune most will be able to relate to, while “Miss America” represents the disc’s lone misstep, a rather clichéd take on it’s subject material that doesn’t really add up to much beyond some nice guitar work. “Bombshell,” too, would probably work better live – here it lacks the oomph to really grab one’s attention.

Two songs, though, seem to sum up the disc and de Keyzer best – the breezy “Good Life,” and “That’s How Much,” both coming across as deeply-felt and very personal declarations of domestic happiness. Neither fall into the category of ‘deep blues,’ but show it’s possible to play and have fun with blues forms even if one lives a relatively stable and happy life. And that, in essence, is the disc’s charm - wouldn’t most of us prefer to spend time with someone who’s pleasantly content, rather than wallowing in misery?

As a guitarist, de Keyzer’s long been acknowledged as a master, and here he shows why; his fretwork is both fleet and inventive, with admirable restraint putting taste ahead of pyrotechnics. His vocals are exemplary as well. While many blues vocalists simply shout out lines as necessary, de Keyzer takes a singer’s approach, with careful phrasing that renders each line a revelation rather than mere declaration.

All in all a fine effort, if a little light on actual blues content.  But again, it’s a pleasant change to find a blues-based disc that takes a positive and optimistic view.

Nice stuff …!