For years Murray Porter has been one of my favouite artists anywhere. He can play the keyboards; sing and most of all, can write lyrics with the best of them. Then a few years ago I got to hear the Pappy Johns band for the first time, featuring Faron Johns on lead vocals, and I was knocked out once again. Even though the Pappy Johns band have been on the scene for twenty-five years, the formers members have reunited to create a "Full Circle" with this CD release. Faron and Murray and the musicians in their band hale from the First Nations. Either Murray or Pappy wrote all the songs on the album. The band is a killer too, with Joe Mahfoud on vocals and guitar, Don Powless on bass and Oren Doxtator - drums and percussion.

To hear these amazing vocalists on one recording is truly a Blues treat, so let's break into the tracks. The first song penned by Murray, "Make Your Mind Up", has Faron, Joe and Murray all takin' turns on the verses. Faron sings is own composition around the topic, "Playing Me". Murray's slow song has him singin' about "My Baby's Crazy" and it's all meant for him. He takes over lead vocal once again on his song "Trouble in the Wigwam" with a nice guitar solo from Joe. The lyrics of Murray's tune "Time Will Come", sung by Faron, really hit me. The tempo really rocks with Faron singing his song "Third Degree" and Joe takin' another great solo on guitar. The pace drops down once again with Murray carryin' the lead vocal on another song he wrote, "Little White Lies", with Murray, Faron and Joe doin' the chorus background. The groove picks up again with some Blues from Murray on "Meat on the Bone". Joe plays the slide guitar with Faron's vocal on his number "Time to Believe". A soulful and funky feel is givin' to Murray's "Let's Do". Ending the CD is Faron singing a haunting tune he wrote, "Through the Door". 

Incredible singing, lyrics and playing make this record a 'have to have'.

On the back of the CD case it states, "Finest in First Nations Blues", and I can't argue with that description. I hope to see the Pappy Johns band with Murray Porter live again soon. Plus other great First Nation Blues bands at one of Elaine Bomberry's regular Rez Bluez presentations in the near future. Things do come "Full Circle".  Eddy B