I have to say this as I peruse the nominees for the Best of Blues Awards.  This being just an example of what I would consider to be an understatement of who should be nominated for what.  Now you all know that I've been following Nick Vigarino for the past few months (well actually his drummer Larry Dennis who I believe is one of the best, but I invite you to come out and see for yourself since it could be said that I am bias) .  It's been very interesting to me to do this for a few different reasons and I try and relate my experiences through this blog because maybe you might find it interesting too. 

Nick is popular in all the towns he plays in.  A lot of people get out to see him, and I never see more than one or two of the same ones at each place he plays, but I do see the same ones showing up in the same places if that makes any sense.  Anyway, Nick is much more than just a great guitar player.  He's an awesome showman, songwriter and entertainer.  For those looking for Canada's Real Blues Magazine article written about him, here is a portion...

• Real Blues Magazine (Jan 15,08) A. Grigg compares him with Robert Cray, Curtis Salgado, Paul deLay and Linda Hornbuckle.  "While each and every artist mentioned has their own totally unique and 'Star-level' talents, Nick Vigarino could be called Mr. Blue(s) collar, a dispenser of rough-and-tumble Alley Music played for an audience who wants to stomp-their-Blues-away and Nick V. has a track record second-to-none. Regularly a recipient of various awards pertaining to 'Best Live Act', 'Best Slide Guitarist' and/or 'Most Exciting Blues Act', Nick Vigarino has a lot of pride in what he delivers to his fans whether it's a live performance or a CD and his fans love him for it.  "What You Do" is the opening autobiographical number and it says a lot in its 'weary-but-pissed-off' lyrics.  Nick's alone on this tune and those who haven't heard him before will be mightily impressed by his Country Blues picking as he addresses the armchair Blues Nazi critics.  "Temptation Road", the title track, is next and it's a band performance that by song's end reveals itself as a deep moral/ethical statement on decisions we make (or don't make).  "Rumba Bluz" introduces us to the talents of sax-woman Sue Orfield, and as the song title says, there's a Latino flavor to it although it's unlike any other Rumba you'll hear.  Larry 'Fishbone' McClure gets special mention for his snappy stickwork (McClure handles drums/percussion on 2 tunes while Chris Leighton is on 11 numbers) and Nick V.'s regular guitarwork shows him to have depth/chops that puts him right at the Top for Pacific North West Blues pickers.  Nick's far, far more than 'just' a slide guitarist but on "Boomchuck" he pulls-it-out to prove that he's 'King of The Slide' - the title is an understatement!  It really is a mind-blowing number and I found myself hitting Replay 5 times just to make sure I was taking it all in.  And, Nick also whips out his harmonica to further amaze listeners.  "Cut Me Off" is a Funky/R&B meats-Rock number that is another amazing original tune (and original idea) as Nick plays his ass off on a solo that can only be described as Chet Atkins-meets-Freddy Stone, that shows the world that Vigarino's just bursting with both imagination and fearlessness.  Bassist Rob Moitoza and drummer Leighton keep things perculatin' and Orfield blows great tenor sax.   And then - boom!  Right back to the Delta Blues with tasty and mean slidin' and pickin' as Nick delivers a scathing sermon on "Torn" is a track aimed at those who have excuses for turning-their-backs on Humanity, Brotherhood and the other Important things in Life.  "Cow Song" has a great big New Orleans Beat to it and it's one for the dance-floor as Leighton shows his stuff.  "Zihua Stomp" is another amazing slice of Vigarino's creative stockpile.  The man never ceases to amaze as he rips through a Flamenco/Slide workout at breakneck speed.  "Corndog" is something that anyone with any taste for Red Hot RedNeck Boogie will go Apeshit over.  Nick V.'s fingers are a blur and I defy anyone alive to recreate anything close to this.  I played this over the phone for 6 different people, which is a measure of my excitement as it's something I do only 2 or 3 times a year.  I must admit, even though I've been digging Nick Vigarino for over a decade (since 1993) this CD proves to me that even I had no inkling as to the depths of Nick's talents and creativity.  While there are perhaps 2 dozen World-Class Blues Acts in Washington/Oregon, Nick Vigarino shows that he belongs in the TOP 3 or 4.  Oh yeah; the man can sing too...so, this is Nick Vigarino's career high point and one of the Best Indie. releases of the last year or two.  Anyone who digs Southern Fried Boogie Blues and especially slide will also LOVE this CD.  If Nick gets over to Europe soon, the audiences over there will go nuts for his Blues and he'd probably never worry about gigs again with such a huge and rabid audience digging him.  5 Big Bottles of Jack for the hottest Boogie Blues you'll ever come across these days and this album may get Vigarino crowned as The New North American King of the Slide."

While I'm not nearly as good as A Grigg in expressing my excitement about Nick's shows, I am a huge fan.  I would have nominated him for more than just the guitar slots for the BB's, and I am not alone it seems.