So the other day I wrote a out one of the two songs that have been in my music rotation this month, Albert Cummings‘ latest album Strong. The other album is Mike Zito‘s new album Life is Hard. Like Cummings Zito has been a favorite of mine for many years a now. I started listening to his music back around 2010 in when I heard his album Pearl. I think that his last two albums, 2021 Blues for the Southside Live and Life is Hard have been the best of his career.
About Life is Hard
Life is Hard was recorded in September 0f 2023 at Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood, California. Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith produced the album, Both Bonamassa and Smith worked on the production of Blood Brothers, the critically-acclaimed album Zito recorded with fellow label guitarist Albert Castiglia,. (another favorite) Blood Brothers topped both the Billboard and iTunes blues charts after its release in March, 2023.
Life Is Hard is composed of several Mike Zito originals. In addition Mike makes a variety of blues songs written by more of my favorite artists including: Tinsley Ellis, Walter Trout, Tab Benoit and Fred James.
But that’s not all a diverse assortment of blues/roots music icons music is covered including Little Milton (“Lonely Man”), Stevie Wonder (“Have a Talk with God”) and Reverend Gary Davis (“Death Don’t Have No Mercy”), plus a terrific cover of the Guess Who classic, “These Eyes.”
Mike has this to say about the album…..
“Life Is Hard is a complete work of art for me,” says Mike Zito about the new disc. “I believe this is the best album I’ve ever made in my life. My wife Laura and I planned this idea of pouring my heart out in music after her death from cancer. Joe, Josh and the incredible musicians were fully aware of the task at hand. They brought a lot of emotion to the music. I am so proud of this album and I know Laura would be proud as well.”
From Mike Zito’s website.
The Bottom Line
The Bottom line is Life is Hard, like Strong is a fantastic album. In my opinion it is the best album Zito has recorded and it will be quickly climbing the blues charts. Currently it is number 11 on the Roots Music Report Blues Chart.
Mike’s guitar work and vocals are both great throughout Life is Hard. On several of the tracks on the album the keyboard work also shines. When I went to Mike’s website I discovered Reese Wynans was the keyboardist! Here’s the complete musician line-up on the album…..
Mike Zito – Guitar and Vocals
Joe Bonamassa – Additional Guitar
Josh Smith – Additional Guitar
Reese Wynans – Keyboards
Calvin Turner – Bass
Lemar Carter – Drums
Paulie Cerra – Saxophone on “Lonely Man”
Jennifer Kumma and Anna Spina – French Horn on “Forever My Love” and “These Eyes”
Jade Macrae – Background Vocals
Dannielle Deandrea – Background Vocals
Steve Ray Ladson – Background Vocals on “Death Don’t Have No Mercy”
French Horn Arrangements by Calvin Turner
When I was gathering info to write this post I discovered Mike’s wife Laura pasted away in August of 2023. She died after a long battle against cancer.Here’s what Mike writes about the song “Forever My Love”
About the Song “Forever My Love”
“In January of last year, I was considering the idea of making an album about the tragedy of my wife Laura having cancer. I wasn’t quite sure how to go about it, but she was very encouraging of the process. I knew I could not write an entire album about this experience and my feelings, but I wanted to write at least one meaningful song that encapsulated my emotions.
One morning I was sitting with guitar in hand at the dining room table with a coffee by my side. I played a chord and sang “Forever My Love” at the top of my lungs. Laura came into the room and said “What was that? Is that a song you’re going to write?” I said, “I think so, do you like it?”
She had an excited look on her face as she said “Yes, I like it a lot.” It just came to me so I went with it and the rest came so fast and easy. The best songs usually come out of nowhere and are very easy to write, like I am not really writing the song I am just the interpreter. The song was written, but I played it and sang it over and over throughout the year. Every morning I would sit at the table and sing it loud and she would listen.
She would tell me how much she loved the song, she was really proud. We had hoped she would live long enough to hear the finished version, but that didn’t happen. But, she heard me sing this song 100 times to her at our house last year, and she knew you were going to love it.” — Mike Zito
Here’s the video for “Forever My Love”
I also discovered there is a Go-Fund Me site Laura Zito Cancer Support. if you would like to help Mike and his family.
