Toronto-based Steve Grisbrook is refreshingly up front about it - he's the first to say his debut, "Blue Sneakers," isn't a blues disc per se.   But any journeyman musician who’s knocked around clubs for years is going to pick up some blues along the way, and Steve’s no exception. Hence the inclusion of a handful of blues tracks on an otherwise eclectic set that reflects a lifetime in the biz, with a corresponding diversity of styles and approaches on display.

Does that mean the disc’s appeal will be limited?  Among purists, perhaps … but if you count yourself a genre-free fan of plain ol’ good music, there’s certainly much to like here.

And hey – even though opener “How Many Miles” doesn’t employ conventional blues structure, the first words heard are “Woke up this morning …”.  (It’s actually a pleasant mid-tempo tune with nicely interweaving sax courtesy of Downchild mainstay (and perennial Maple Blues award winner) Pat Carey.  Strike one for the blues!

Steve cranks the heat up considerably with “Shake It Up,” a rollicking romp of flat out rock ‘n’ roll designed for dancing.  His guitar solo on this one is utterly flawless, his fiery fretwork dazzling while remaining admirably succinct.  “Winning Ticket” is pure pop-rock featuring a thoughtful lyric twist (a winning ticket in life doesn’t always mean a financial windfall).  And the killer cover of Big Joe Turner’s “Feeling Happy” ought to leave blues fans feeling just that – absolutely everything works on this one, from the one-man horn section (a multi-tracked Mr. Carey) to the infectiously irrepressible rhythm section of bassist Garth Vogan and drummer Gary Taylor. 

“Blue Shutters, ” the lone track featuring a different backing band, keeps the blues quotient in the foreground, but Steve throws in a twist or two to keep it fresh, including congas and exemplary work on both piano and organ courtesy of Joe Ingrao.  “Shadowtown” tries for funk but somehow the elements don’t quite come together – the rhythm is just a little too weak to be thoroughly convincing.  Better is the relaxed reggae feel of “In The Air,” a tune that combines an easy-going groove with an air of menace and mystery to excellent effect.  “Undercover” ventures into jazz-lite territory, but uniformly top-notch performances keep it interesting throughout. 

Blues returns with the grinding “She’s Fine,” a down ‘n’ dirty ditty with an utterly relentless beat that proves a highlight.  Hang on to it, though, ‘cause the next two are forgettable.  “Fish Out Of Water” is okay but ultimately doesn’t add up to much, while Walter ‘Wolfman’ Washington’s “Are You The Lady” proves a curious choice to cover, its too-lugubrious tempo supporting rather lame (if not downright embarrassing) lyrics the likes of which haven’t been in favour since the 70’s.  (In fairness, the era the tune comes from).  Fusion funkster Jeff Lorber’s “Tune 88” seems to start out too slowly at first as well, but a few bars in and it all seems just right, resulting in another lite jazz workout that gives Griz, Carey, and drummer Taylor a chance to stretch out.  Things come to a close with a likeable cover of the Bill Withers chestnut, “Ain’t No Sunshine,” with the boys engaging in some musical extrapolations that take it out in fine style.

Production throughout is first rate, as are performances from all concerned.  Grisbrook reveals himself a fine player who understands the value of restraint, and while his vocals may not win awards he acquits himself more than adequately.
All in all a fine collection, even if a couple of tracks could have been omitted without significant loss.  But as a musical summation of a lifetime’s experience, Griz has much to be proud of here.

Recommended!