Maybe it was the spartan compact disc sent without any cover artwork, or perhaps it was the kind of lame name – Guitarboy. Either way, I figured this puppy was going to really suck upon first listen, but surprisingly it didn’t suck that bad and I found myself listening to a few tracks over again (and enjoying them too).

Guitarboy Blues is actually a decent album of electric blues instrumentals that sound a lot like an Eric Clapton & friends benefit concert for PBS, especially “Double Feature” and “See What Had Happened Wuz...” But for the good there’s the strangely familiar – “Wendy’s Blues” which sounds suspiciously like a bastardized version of “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “Guitarboy Boogie” is awfully similar to Joe Satriani’s “Satch Boogie.” Still, there’s some obvious talent here that can’t be ignored.

I really don’t mean to seem completely jaded, however let’s be realistic; they aren’t exactly breaking new ground. This is a recording by four middle-aged dudes playing bluesy Stevie Ray Vaughan/Eric Johnson-type stuff, and guessing from the grainy band photo that was enclosed it’s likely they could gig at dive bars, state fairs, and backyard BBQ’s. And hey, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but someone has to play cruise ships and high school reunions.

Bottom line is this – Guitarboy (apparently the actual name of the guitarist as well as the band’s name) will most likely not become a household name, but hell, they got the chops. And if for some reason they hit it big, they can come to my house and tell me all about themselves. I’ll buy the beers.