Fitchburg Street

1	Dimples 4:06
2	I'd Rather Be (Blind, Crippled & Crazy) 3:54
3	Changes 5:57
4	Life by the Drop 3:05
5	That's How Strong My Love Is 4:16
6	Baby, What You Want Me to Do 4:11
7	It Ain't No Use 4:28
8	Maudie 3:30
9	Forty-Four 5:50
10	Sugar (Where'd You Get Your Sugar From) 4:00

Barnes & Noble

While Texas blues is usually all about the guitar, this collection is based on the notion that the riffing oughta stop every once in a while so that we can give the drummer some. Bramhall, a singer-drummer who worked extensively with Stevie Ray Vaughan over the years, doesn't flex his writing muscle all that extensively here -- limiting himself to one original, a version of "Life by the Drop," which was a staple of Vaughan's sets for many years. He does, however, put his distinctive vocal stamp on some well-chosen blues chestnuts, notably a sinewy take on John Lee Hooker's "Dimples" and a suitably sexy romp through Howlin' Wolf's "Sugar," which is punctuated by some powerful harmonica blasts from Gary Primich. Bramhall shines most brightly on songs designed to showcase percussive punch, such as an alternately bulldozing and nimble take on Buddy Miles's "Them Changes," but he and guitar-slinging son Doyle II mix it up nicely on a surprisingly wide range of material, highlighted by a soulful, stirring version of "That's How Strong My Love Is." David Sprague

All Music Guide

Doyle Bramhall began his music career on Fitchburg Street in Dallas, and on his album of the same name he applies a healthy slathering of Texas style to some rock, blues, and soul songs from his youth (and one of his own creations). It's a recipe for a raw, messy, and delicious delight for fans of rough-and-tumble bar band blues. Bramhall's style of Texas blues sounds a lot like Stevie Ray Vaughan, and with good reason: Bramhall influenced the Vaughan style, having co-wrote some of Vaughan's hits, including "Life by the Drop." While Vaughan played it as a soul-wrenching acoustic number on the posthumous The Sky Is Crying, Bramhall picks up the pace to make it a full-throttle rocker. Bramhall's voice is even reminiscent of Vaughan's on many tracks. His vocals are a joyful noise -- what he lacks in talent he makes up for with feeling. He sings with so much enthusiasm on "I'd Rather Be (Blind, Crippled & Crazy)" that you can't help but want to sing along. As befits a Texas blues album, each song features excellent guitar work, and the star guitar belongs to Bramhall's son, Doyle Bramhall II. Doyle the younger plays a mean rhythm guitar and his tone often sounds stolen directly from Vaughan. His shuffle playing on John Lee Hooker's "Dimples" is a dead ringer for Vaughan, while his interpretation of the Band of Gypsies' "Changes" shows that he has some imagination and style of his own. Bramhall's son plays on four tracks, and they shine the most, although the other guitarists and numerous musicians on the album (Bramhall has a lot of friends, it seems) play as tightly as any veteran bar band, held together by Bramhall's solid drumming. The only exception comes on "Sugar (Where'd You Get Your Sugar From)," where Dave Sebree's sloppy slide goes a bit too far out of tune (try a second take next time, guys). But that small misstep can't taint this fun journey through Bramhall's musical memories. ~ Michael Gowan, All Music Guide

Southwest Blues

Doyle Bramhall is a great talent and this CD is proof of that claim. If you are not yet a fan, give this a listen and you will be.