Toronzo Cannon: Shut Up And Play! Review

From the bus to the blues, Toronzo Cannon was once Chicago’s most famous bus driver. After 28 years of navigating the west side of the Windy City, he drove his final route in 2020 to concentrate on projecting the raw and raucous sound of Chicago blues.

Shut Up And Play! is Cannon’s first LP since permanently stepping away from behind the wheel. It sees the ten-time Blues Music award nominee devote his full energies to 12 originals that rattle and squeak with off-kilter, searing left-handed guitar playing.

Being a bus driver for so long gave Cannon a side and rearview mirror perspective of the hardships and problems of Chicago, yet the proud black American still refuses to waive his love for the city “warts and all.” Consequently, the songs pull no punches, covering real-life matters that wouldn’t typically find refuge in blues songs.

There’s a great swing and explosive guitar in the opener “Can’t Fix The World” as Cannon’s granite, outspoken voice (‘Can’t fix the world now right, I’ve got to play these blues’) accepts he can’t solve the hypocrisy and dishonesty of politicians. However, he can control how he plays his axe, which stings just as hard as the lyrics.

The first radio single “I Hate Love” is one for long-time Toronzo fans. It’s attention-grabbing and absolutely righteous, vehement, and sweeping with biting six-string leads.

Cannon’s not afraid to get deeply personal, either. But he purposefully avoids the genre’s glut of “my woman left me” numbers, instead singing with rich vulnerability on the quiet, poignant ballad “Message To My Daughter.” Expressing worry about his divorce’s impact on their relationship, he leaves no doubt of his love for his child.

It’s not just Cannon’s immense talent (check out the tasty slide guitar on “Unlovable”) and musical charisma that makes this record pop. The rest of the band isn’t half bad, either. Cole DeGenova on keys adds warmth and weight to Cannon’s admonishment to a nagging lady in “If I’m Always Wrong,” while Matthew Skoller’s top-blowing harmonica performance on “My Woman Loves Me Too Much” is almost enough to prevent a sly twinkle in the eye at the slice of dessert innuendo (‘come and get some of this blackberry pie’).

The six-minute title track brings the album full circle from the lamentful opener, as Cannon responds emphatically and exuberantly to the critics telling him to glue his mouth shut when it comes to social issues and instead, strictly focus on his job as an entertainer. There’s a psychedelic aura to this track inspired by Black Lives Matter, as Jason “Jroc” Edwards on drums and DeGenova on organ rock hard to the melodically rich guitar that screams with emotion.

Cannon and his camaraderie deliver songs with passion, purpose, and a profusion of creativity and outsized personality, standing defiantly on the cutting edge of today’s contemporary blues scene. If you can’t wait for the next stop, he’s currently in the middle of his latest tour — best get running for that bus.

The Review: 8/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Can’t Fix The World
– Message To My Daughter
– Shut Up And Play

The Big Hit

– Message To My Daughter