Bluesland Review

By Jim Beal Jr.
From December 24, 1999 "Night Lights" column
Copyright © 1999-2000 San Antonio Express-News

The members of BLUESLAND really don't care what the calendar says or who happens to be at the top of any blues charts.  For Bluesland —Jean-Pierre Blanchard, harmonica, vocals; Tony Cuellar, lead guitar, vocals; Earl Tubbs, bass, vocals; Gilbert "Big Daddy" Gonzales, drums, and Marc Benno, guitar — it's always 1950-something and their hearts are in Chicago.

Bluesland's music harks back to the halcyon days of post-World War II electric blues when the Sonny Boys, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter Jacobs and Big Walter Horton ruled the blues roost.  Through plenty of work, most at Carranza's Pit Stop, Bluesland has evolved from a jam band into a sharp quartet that plays real-deal blues with power, passion and imagination.  Some of the Bluesland repertoire is familiar, but some is obscure.  Bluesland is staffed by players who also are fans, so they care about the sound and deliver it well.