Buck 'N' The System

Reviews - Band Website - http://www.oocities.org/~bucknthesystem/reviews.htm I. Detroit Blues Society, Blues Notes, March 2004 Review of debut CD, Dirty World, by Mark E. Gallo No Cover has a reputation for releasing some of the best blues Detroit has to offer. Harmonica player Buck Steele and his band of Steve Szalay (bass guitar), Eric Shaver (guitar and vocals), and Bob Mrozowski (drums and percussion) are no exception to that history. Loaded with excellent playing and clever songwriting, ?Dirty Word? is an impressive listen.

I. Detroit Blues Society, Blues Notes, March 2004
Review of debut CD, Dirty World, by Mark E. Gallo

No Cover has a reputation for releasing some of the best blues Detroit has to offer. Harmonica player Buck Steele and his band of Steve Szalay (bass guitar), Eric Shaver (guitar and vocals), and Bob Mrozowski (drums and percussion) are no exception to that history. Loaded with excellent playing and clever songwriting, ?Dirty Word? is an impressive listen.

?System Shuffle,? the jazzy opener, offers opportunity for the band members to strut their stuff. Buck blows inspired lines over pocket tight rhythm and slick guitar work. Serving as a superb calling card for the quartet, it has Detroit grit written all over it. The original material that makes up the bulk of the disc is well performed and covers a wide range of tempos, from the deep blues of ?Blues Train? to the wonderful tribute to ?Louis Collins? to the shuffle of the title tune.

Shaver is the chief songwriter and vocalist and brings a solid sense of both to the project. His guitar work is equally impressive and that guitar and tight rhythm section lay a nice cushion for Buck Steele's harp throughout the program. The covers of John Campbell's ?Couldn't Do Nothin'? and ?Devil in My Closet? are musically impressive and played with verve. Buck's harp is especially exciting on the latter piece.

The final pair of tunes on the 13-song program were recorded at the Red Doggie Saloon in June '02. Arthur Crudup's classic ?Mean Old Frisco? is given a tight little train send up, with nice guitar and harmonica work. The closing reprise of ?System Shuffle,? acting as a set closer and member intro piece, is well received by the audience on hand.

The live tunes point to the energy of the band on stage, as well as enticement to get out there and see what that excitement is all about. In the meantime, ?Dirty World? is a vital Detroit blues disc that your collection will thank you for adding.


II. Detroit Blues Society, Blues Notes, September 2001
Review of August 4, 2001, show at Michael's on the River, by Wolfgang Spider

Buck Steele and the band were at Michael's on the River on August 4th playing to a packed house. This is a friendly room in which to eat, drink and enjoy the music. We first heard Buck 'N' the System at Heatstock 2001 and wanted to see them in action in a club. Buck has a rich and bluesy sound on his harmonica. It fills the room and flavors everything the band does.

Eric Shaver does the vocals and guitar work and wrote many of the songs the band played. Buck and Eric proudly wore their Heatstock t-shirts. Completing the lineup was Bob Mrozowski on drums and Steve Szalay on electric bass. Buck and the boys have no CD as yet but hopefully will soon. One of my favorite songs was the Shaver original dedicated to Mr. Bo. I think the title was "Louis Collins Has Gone" if memory serves me well. Stop by to see the band and ask for that song. It's a good one.


Album Notes - CD Baby - http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bucknthesystem

This is the debut release from Buck 'N' The System. This CD features ten originals and three covers. Recorded at No Cover's own Straight Ahead Studios with two live cuts recorded at the Red Dog Saloon. The band is a classic blues line-up with harmonica, guitar, bass and drums. Most of the tunes are written by Eric Shaver, except for the "System Shuffle", which was co-written by all the band members. Eric has already penned enough songs for the second CD, so watch for it!

Review - CD Baby - http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bucknthesystem

?Dirty World? is a vital Detroit blues disc that your collection will thank
No Cover has a reputation for releasing some of the best blues Detroit has to offer. Harmonica player Buck Steele and his band of Steve Szalay (bass guitar), Eric Shaver (guitar and vocals), and Bob Mrozowski (drums and percussion) are no exception to that history. Loaded with excellent playing and clever songwriting, ?Dirty Word? is an impressive listen.

?System Shuffle,? the jazzy opener, offers opportunity for the band members to strut their stuff. Buck blows inspired lines over pocket tight rhythm and slick guitar work. Serving as a superb calling card for the quartet, it has Detroit grit written all over it. The original material that makes up the bulk of the disc is well performed and covers a wide range of tempos, from the deep blues of ?Blues Train? to the wonderful tribute to ?Louis Collins? to the shuffle of the title tune.

Shaver is the chief songwriter and vocalist and brings a solid sense of both to the project. His guitar work is equally impressive and that guitar and tight rhythm section lay a nice cushion for Buck Steele's harp throughout the program. The covers of John Campbell's ?Couldn't Do Nothin'? and ?Devil in My Closet? are musically impressive and played with verve. Buck's harp is especially exciting on the latter piece.

The final pair of tunes on the 13-song program were recorded at the Red Doggie Saloon in June '02. Arthur Crudup's classic ?Mean Old Frisco? is given a tight little train send up, with nice guitar and harmonica work. The closing reprise of ?System Shuffle,? acting as a set closer and member intro piece, is well received by the audience on hand.

The live tunes point to the energy of the band on stage, as well as enticement to get out there and see what that excitement is all about. In the meantime, ?Dirty World? is a vital Detroit blues disc that your collection will thank you for adding.