While cooking dinner the other night I was forced to crank my stereo system
to maximum so I could hear my Beatles disc playing in the next room. After
finishing off my uneventful rice and beans dish, I decided to give the new
Hector Qirko Band CD a listen.

I soon realized I had forgotten to adjust the volume back to a normal
listening level. There, my friends, is the key to enjoying The Blues
is a Living Thing, by Knoxville's own Hector Qirko Band. Turn that
sucker up!

The third release by HQB is probably the best yet by this seasoned
Knoxville four-piece, certainly in terms of performance. This is due in
large part to the fact it was recorded live (in the studio) with absolutely
no overdubs. It sounds like a real band playing real music without
reminding the listener the whole thing took place in a recording studio.
It's refreshing to hear a band that utilizes a room full of expensive gear
to make something that sounds like it came directly off the stage. The disc
contains HQB's usual fine song selection of fairly obscure covers
(Breaking Up Somebody's Home is the best) as well as a healthy dose
of originals. Qirko shows he can still come up with fresh ideas, especially
the wry title track. Peace of Mind even shows "classic"
potential.

Fortunately, this band knows how to handle this material and they attack
the blues from several different musical angles. Everything from R&B to
James Brown can be found on this disc. The star of the show has to be
Qirko's creative and passionate guitar playing. He comes up with more licks
than a two-month-old puppy.

HQB will be performing this Friday night at the Stir Fry Caf in the Gallery
shopping center. They also perform regularly on the third Friday of the
month at Manhattan's in the Old City, their next date there being on Feb.
17. In the meantime, if you are looking for a fun and inspired set of blues
based music that only improves with volume, try outThe Blues is a Living
Thing. Whether you're cooking or not, Hector Qirko and company always
are.