Illinois-based guitarist / composer David Lumsden grew up on a musical diet of classic rock bands and artists like Cream, Jeff Beck and Jimi Hendrix, as well as a wealth of blues influences like Willie Dixon and Robert Johnson and he puts his vast musical upbringing into focus on his 2022 album Rooted In The Blues, his second solo album. Backed by a tight band, including Tim Bahn (keyboards), Gary Davis (bass) and Jim Engel (drums), David weaves a web of compelling blues-rock spearheaded by his songwriting, his vocals and his red-hot electric guitar sounds.

A cover of Eddy Clearwater’s Chuck Berry-inspired track “I Wouldn’t Lay My Guitar Down” kicks off the CD in style featuring David’s rockin' vocals. From there the album just gets better including David’s instrumental original “Runaway (Blues Train)” with more than a nod to fretboard legends like the late great Alvin Lee and Danny Gatton.

“Ruthless Boogie” combines influences from ZZ Top and Deep Purple while, a song favorite of his live set with David’s vocals, a cover of “Hound Dawg” retools the Leiber-Stoller classic for the 2020's. Speaking of guitar-centric instrumental originals, “Ode To Jimi (a/k/a Slow Burn)” takes off on a number of Hendrix styles and modes them into one attractive package that would bring a smile to the late guitarist’s face.

In addition to the driving instro “Runaway (Blues Train)”, Rooted In The Blues also features more guitar instrumentals, including a cover of Greg Pasenko’s moving ballad “Your Memory” as well as an instro cover of the Larry Carlton-inspired / Steely Dan composed 1977 classic “Josie”. The album closes out with a scathing live cover of Bob Dylan’s “Everything Is Broken”, with David spitting out Dylan-esque lyrics with much style.

David’s first two solo albums serve as a fine adjunct to his work with the blues-rock singer Hurricane Ruth, while performing shows to much critical acclaim. A musician that wears many hats, Blues-rock recording artist David Lumsden hits his stride with the well-rounded release of Rooted In The Blues.