Mike Bourne - Kansas City O'Clock

Artiest/Band: Mike Bourne Album: Kansas City O'Clock Release: 31th October 2025 Label: Overton Music Format:CD/Digital Genre: Jump Blues Kansas City has been fertile ground for great American music for the past century – creating feisty blues with an attitude that's shaped big bands, jazz, rhythm and blues, jump blues, and even the formative years of real-deal rock 'n' roll in the 1950s.........►►►

Kansas City has been fertile ground for great American music for the past century – creating feisty blues with an attitude that's shaped big bands, jazz, rhythm and blues, jump blues, and even the formative years of real-deal rock 'n' roll in the 1950s. Those are the deep roots that nourish the music of the Mike Bourne Band. Inspired by the genre-defining music of Louis Jordan, T-Bone Walker and other blues giants, Bourne has recorded and performed with the legendary likes of Otis Rush, Sam Lay, Barrelhouse Chuck and beyond.

As Bourne explains: “Blues and roots music is empathetic and real. I relate to the songs that inspire me and lyrics like 'Don’t worry about a thing, cause nothing’s gonna be alright'.” That inspiration is what drives his latest swinging album, Kansas City O’clock, a joyous romp filled with KC musical styles – 12 sparkling originals and a pair of classic covers. Bourne has gathered a supporting cast of more than 20 excellent musicians whose mission was to pump the necessary effervescence into all these tracks. Musical mission accomplished!

The fun begins with the rocking “Can't Be Anybody But Myself,” with its self-explanatory message and a furious sax solo from KC's Dougan Smith. “Beer In The Morning” shares its hardrocking plea for “barley and hops” to start the day: “Give me a Coors, Miller or Bud, cause all I want is my breakfast suds.” The relaxed swing of “Too Old To Be Young” explores an age-old dilemma” “I'm too young to be old, too old to be young.” Lyrical piano by KC vet Jim Beisman introduces the New Orleans rhythms of “Caffeine Blues,” percolating with a rollicking lament for his morning joe.

“Kansas City O’clock” kicks open the door to a swinging Kansas City world: “A whole big kingdom of a really good time,” closing with a few bars from Leiber and Stoller's classic, “Kansas City.” Wilbert Harrison's giant 1952 hit. “Kick'n A Deuce” is a tough R&B instrumental fueled by Bourne's swampy guitar. “YOLO” is lively, lighthearted advice wrapped up in one sentence: “You only live once, so don't think twice.” The very traditional “Three Blind Mice” gets a rollicking update with clever contemporary wordplay and a new ending: “You better run now mouse ... you busted.”

A slow-burning blues intro sparks the torchy “Really Nice Girl,” who sounds anything but: “A really nice girl, in a vague kinda way.” A cover of John Hahn's jumping “Dive Bar Romance” raises a glass to looking for something like love: “I had me some beer, had me some hooch, now I need that girl to give me a smooch.” The other cover is a delicious rendition of the wryly salacious “Fore Day Rider” by legendary piano man and Kansas City bandleader Jay McShann. Austin Barry's wicked trumpet, Smith's sexy sax and Beisman's barrelhouse piano drive this one home behind Bourne's sly vocal turn.

“Truth Dressed Up Like A Lie” is a tough and bluesy, sax-filled eternal question: “Why does your truth look like a dressed-up lie?” No explanation is needed for “Rather Be Happy Than Normal.” The closer is the heartfelt “People Not Politics,” a gently rolling bit of R&B featuring Johnny Burgin on guitar that preaches its title: ”You don't need funding to build the next building, you only need love to build your children.”

With Kansas City O’clock, Mike Bourne and his talented sidekicks take us on a vibrant musical odyssey through the storied music of Kansas City. Bourne's vocals shout his exuberance, the skin-tight band sounds gorgeously loose, and the entire session captures KC lightning in a 

bottle. We're left with a vivid image of Bourne, “standing on the corner of Twelfth Street and Vine, with his Kansas City baby and a bottle of Kansas City wine.”

 Jim White (a former music writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette & now writes the Blues Roadhouse)

FOCUS TRACKS:

5. Kansas City O’clock, 2. Beer In The Morning, 8. Three Blind Mice, 10. Dive Bar Romance

14. People Not Politics  WEBLINKS: F/B: www.facebook.com/mikebourneband

BIOGRAPHY

From the House of Blues to the International Jazz and Blues Festival in Manila and countless points in between, Mike Bourne has been entertaining audiences around the globe with his unique style of jump blues, blues, and roots music since 1998. Inspired by Louis Jordan, T-bone Walker, and many others, Bourne first picked up the guitar at age 22, and began playing professionally at age 25. He has recorded and performed with legends of the genre, including Otis Rush, Sam Lay, Barrelhouse Chuck and more. After long stints in Chicago and Atlanta, he's back home in Kansas City. Having joined forces with high-caliber band members, their highenergy shows has the town buzzing. His latest album, Kansas City O’clock, continues with the same energy and originality displayed in Kansas City Cruisin’ (2023 Blue Heart Records).