MIKE ZITO Source: Nashville Scene Date: 06/2008 Writer: N/A

MIKE ZITO Mike Zito's latest, Today, shuttles confidently between East St. Louis and Hollywood, with Zito's stubborn vocals and post-Chicago blues guitar powering minor-key ballads. At times the St. Louis native sounds like '80s neo-soul singer Terence Trent Arby, and on "Slow It Down" Zito makes like Otis Rush for the Dave Matthews generation. Tony Braunagel and David Z's production adds a touch of salsa to "No Big City" a tale of urban alienation that is Today's most chilling moment. “It’s no big city, not to me,†Zito sings. "Hollywood" features a stop-time guitar lick you'll want to hear again. His voice isn't always equal to his message of self-determination, but Zito—who these days lives in Texas—hangs tough with a fine sense of blues classicism. 8 p.m. at Bourbon St. Blues & Boogie Bar.

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