As we all know, or at least, we all should know by now, Randy Bachman is a Canadian musician best known as lead guitarist, songwriter and a founding member of the 1960's and 1970's rock bands The Guess Who and Bachman–Turner Overdrive. Indeed, Bachman was also a member of Brave Belt with Chad Allan, Union and Ironhorse, and has recorded numerous solo albums.

The force behind classic rock hits such as 'Takin' Care of Business', 'You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet' and 'American Woman', Bachman's brand new solo album, Heavy Blues is actually far from that - solo, I mean. For inclusive on this new album are such incredible musicians as collaboratators it will make your head spin: Neil Young, Robert Randolph, Peter Frampton, Luke Doucet, Scott Holiday, Joe Bonamassa and even the late Jeff Healey.

Inspired by a love of classic 60's blues rock, and with all those featured names backing him at every musical step, Heavy Blues - which was also recorded with a small core combo that includes bassist Anna Ruddick and drummer Dale Anne Brendan - was actually produced by the well-known rock producing God, Kevin Shirley.

We kick-off with the gung-ho 'The Edge,' before the mid-tempo 'Ton Of Bricks' (featuring Scott Holiday) and the frenetic 'Bad Child' featuring the immense guitar work from Joe Bonamassa backing it up. Bachman has credited Neil Young with helping push him toward making the leap he took for Heavy Blues, recalling a conversation between the two in which Young cajoled him to try something different. And so here on 'Little Girl Lost,' the track with Young, you can easily see why Young was so pushy! The track is pure dynamite and - for my money - is the stand out track of the entire album.

The blues standard-feel of 'Learn To Fly' is next, and is backed by both the lower tempo, lower guitar slung, dusty vocals of 'Oh My Lord' (featuring Robert Randolph), and then a stunning 'Confessin' To The Devil' that comes to the fore with the late Jeff Healey's always-impressive lap guitar work attached. Peter Frampton joins Bachman for the title track, 'Heavy Blues,' which is followed by 'Wild Texas Ride,' the punkesque pleading of 'Please Come To Paris' (featuring Luke Doucet), before the album (sadly) comes to a close with the closest track to a ballad, 'We Need To Talk.'

One last thing, aside from the knowledge you should buy this CD for the pure fact it is one GREAT album to play, whether at home or in the car this summer, there is a Limited Edition Deluxe Package that includes a Custom Guitar Pick! See, more motivation to do what's best for your ears!