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Unfair comparisons
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This review first appeared in the August 30, 1996 issue of the North County Times.
For obvious marketing purposes, Storyville is being touted as successor to the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. But listening to the band's debut album makes clear that the only connection with the late Vauaghan is a common rhythm section: Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton anchor Storyville as they did for Vaughan's Double Trouble.
As tight as Shannon and Layton are on bass and drums respectively, it's not enough to justify comparisons to SRV. Neither of Storyville's guitarists, David Holt or Davis Grissom, in anywhere near Vaughan's league as an improviser or stylist – nor is singer Malford Milligan possessed of the sort of distinctive delivery as was Vaughan.
Storyville mixes arena anthems and hard rockers; it's accessible and pop-oriented, but with enough bite to keep most blues fans happy, too.
But forget the SRV comparisons. Instead, put Storyville in the Humble Pie/Bad Company lineage and enjoy the band's polished blues-based rock for what it is.