As a lead guitarist, Burns is a minimalist. He doesn't attempt to dazzle you with his virtuosity. It's refreshing to hear someone play the blues without sounding as if he's in competition with every other blues player before or since. He's playing the blues – his blues – and if you can only understand the blues through exaggerated guitar runs then you aren't going to dig what he's doing anyway.
His backing band of second guitarist Tony Palmer, drummer James Carter, and bassist Greg McDaniel follows him with skill and precision, but without bombast or excess. Many of the songs stretch out to six and seven minutes, but the guitar jams and interplay are understated. The songs extend but they aren't treated as excuses for mindless noodling. When Burns gives Palmer a lead nod, Palmer's lead work takes on the tone and fire of a young Dickey Betts. It's a nice counterpoint to Burns' playing.
It's hard not to root for a guy who put his dreams on hold to try and support his family. It's even harder not to root for him when the music is as consistently enjoyable as Live at B.L.U.E.S. is. Good things come to those who wait.
Note: Live at B.L.U.E.S. is available on both CD and DVD.
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