Kim Wilson

In the world of genuine blues, even the rawest initiate can hear a phony from the first false chromatic run. But in a room where Kim Wilson is holding forth with his road-dusty baritone or his miles-deep harp tone, even a complete blues rookie has to recognize a master. Since the Fabulous Thunderbirds’ heyday, Wilson has been laying down inspirational, perspirational blues. Sure, T-birds co-founder Jimmie Vaughn is a blast (though no match in the vocal department), and the long stream of “former T-Birds” guitarists might have just a little more zip, but Wilson’s repertoire of everything from Texas sizzlers to classic jump blues is enough to fill several nights.