For the longest time now I've, once a year, been going to Memphis for a five to 10 ten day stay (usually the later). The trip, if it's the short one, is always for the BLUES MUSIC AWARDS, and if it's the long one, it's always for THE BEALE STREET MUSIC FESTIVAL and THE BLUES MUSIC AWARDS (of course with a day in between at one Tunica's casinos).

Unfortunately, with all of the national and international talent in town during this period, the hard working local acts seem to get overlooked and/or lost in the shuffle. This may very well explain why, as many times as I have been there, I have yet to see the ERIC HUGHES BAND. As I sit here and write about "TWO IN THE MORNING", my ears are telling me to make sure I catch THIS local on my next visit. And, talk about local, it doesn't get any more local than ERIC - he lives on Beale Street. Now I know why that door in the back of TATER RED'S says KEEP OUT!

On "TWO IN THE MORNING", not only is ERIC HUGHES responsible for writing all fourteen tracks, but this talented musician/songwriter also plays lead and rhythm guitars, harmonica, dobro, percussion and electric sitar. A one man band? Well, you might say so - as a young man, that's exactly how he started out performing. However, on this particular project he's joined by several other of Memphis' finest: LAURA HUGHES on bass, back up vocals and percussion; KEVIN EDDY on drums and percussion; ROBERT "NIGHTHAWK" TOOMS on electric piano and the Hamond B3 organ; with BRAD WEBB and LARRY NOBLE joining in on lead guitar on several tracks.

The CD opens with a hot little number on which ERIC expresses a sadness that seems common amongst blues singers as he asks, "DID YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE DOG TOO"? I was especially impressed with the rhythm on this track with LAURA and KEVIN nicely in sync.

A similarly impressive track, with similar highlights was "MUDDY WATERS RECORDS". On this one, the missing dog is no longer an issue, it's the missing Muddy Waters records. Now he's really pissed. The jilted man's gonna burn the house down if he don't get those Muddy Waters records back. A very cleverly written and performed track. Of course, just the mention of Muddy makes you think of some hot harp playing and great guitar licks and ERIC nicely provides lots of both of those.

Man, I hope ERIC isn't singing about real life experiences here. The dog, the Muddy Water's records - I'm almost afraid to listen to the next few tracks - can this get much worse?

OK, so the estranged lover that split with the dog and the records did at least leave something behind. When she split after fifty-one years of being wed, she left her "TEETH IN A GLASS" on the table by the bed. Unfortunately this causes much chagrin because through the Efferdent, he sees her evil grin. This is another fast paced number with the band in one long jam.

I could shoot myself, but "WHO'D CLEAN UP THE MESS", is full of more classic lyrics. I've got to believe that ERIC HUGHES has to be the life of any party he attends. Besides being hilarious, this disc is also a hit musically. This track is slow country blues with great vocals, guitar and piano.

Have you ever heard a song about a train that you didn't like? Of course not, right? Well then you'll really like "THE EIGHT-FIFTEEN". It's got all the good bass and harp playing that makes them all fun songs.

"BREAKTIME AT THE BRIAR PATCH" is possibly the best track, and unfortunately the shortest track on the disc. Actually, I don't even know if it's a legitimate track at that - It's more of a set break tune. In any event, it's good old down home blues at it's best and I could have easily enjoyed 5 more minutes of this tight rhythm and great harp playing.