When I received a correspondence from THE ROGER GIRKE BAND asking me if I'd review their new CD, "MY BABY LOVES THAT STUFF", I did what I do with all similar requests. I quickly returned an email to them stating our websites policy and procedure. Shortly afterward, I received a package in the mail and from the contents of the package, it was quite clear they didn't understand or hadn't read my policy. Then I came across a hand written note explaining in so many words that the band had decided to just cut to the chase because they "knew I would like the CD". At this point, having not yet listened to the CD, it was a bit early to tell if they were right or not, but I'll tell you this - I did like their style. They had me wondering it they were arrogant, if they were cocky, or if they were just plain confident? I guess the CD will answer that.

THE ROGER GIRKE BAND consists of ROGER GIRKE on guitar and vocals, JOE LA SORTE on guitar, IAN GREAVES on drums, JIMMY PRITCHARD on bass, GLENN BICKELL on keyboards and PETE MAYFORTH on sax. The CD "MY BABY LOVES THAT STUFF" is a nice mix of Chicago and Delta blues and some New Orleans funk and features ten originals out of eleven tracks.

The opening track, "MAKE IT FUNKY", did exactly what the title says. This is a funky soulful track that explains that the blues does not have to be slow and have dark glasses. The vocals were excellent and the band started off the CD in a nice tight groove. Hopefully there will be more of this ahead.

The title track, "MY BABY LOVES THAT STUFF" is a hot number about a problem all of us men should be lucky enough to have. It seems this man's woman just can't get enough of "that stuff". Getting ready to go to a B. B. King show, she decides that she'd rather "get some of that stuff" and our friend is really faced with a major dilemma.

"ALL BY MYSELF", the only cover on this CD is a nicely done version of a Fats Domino song. It's a short little song that features the piano of course, along with some nice sax solos.

"DADDY", is by far the bluesiest track on the CD, which of course comes hand in hand with it being my favorite track. This is Chicago Blues at it's best - serious scorching vocals and blues guitar. Send me CD's with 10 tracks like this and I'll be one happy reviewer.

Another real nice bluesy track is "YOU'RE RIGHT - I'M WRONG". Unfortunately, I get the feeling there is a true story in this song. Nevertheless, the blues guitar on this track is awesome.

Truthfully, I have to admit, the guys let the CD do the talking and it did indeed back them up. Therefore in a situation where I'd normally think "who the hell do these guys think they are"? I found my self admiring their confidence as well as admiring their musicianship.