BOUNDLESS ALBUM REVIEW Chicago Blues Guide and Cincy Blues Society
Brad “Guitar” Wilson – Boundless
Cal Bee Music
An artist who’s been influenced by top names across the blues spectrum, West Coast-based Brad “Guitar” Wilson is a master picker with a style that’s all his own. Brad consistently delivers some of the most polished music in the blues world, and he shines with this follow-up to The Californian CD, a disc that topped charts last year.
This all-class set mixes 12 originals and four well-reinvented covers and was produced by Grammy winner Francis Buckley at Musician’s Institute Studios in Hollywood and in Belgium, too, with assistance from more than a dozen top session players.
Choice cuts include “The Thrill Is Gone,” “More of You,” “Gonna Stay or Go,” “Living Underground,” “Let’s Dance Together,” “Wild and Free,” “Home,” “Time Was,” “San Francisco Nights,” “Sundown and the Cowboy,” “Sky Full of Rain,” “Between the Hours” and “Blues Magic.”
THE LOW DOWN Blues Monday Monthly both print and radio
THE LOW DOWN Blues Monday Monthly both print and radio
-by Kyle Christen
"Boundless"
Brad "Guitar" Wilson
About a year ago, I reviewed Brad "Guitar" Wilson's last CD in BMM, and really
liked it, so I was thrilled to receive his brand new one titled "Boundless." 12 origi-
nals and 4 cool covers all come together for an impressive bluesy-blues-rock-
contemporary disc. Leading off is one of those covers, "The Thrill Is Gone," of "GUITAR"
which the studio Brad recorded in had actually purchased one of B.B. King's
"Lucille" guitars, and he used it on this tune. As he hums his way in, he's picking
some soft and sweet notes, alongside some cool piano. About 20 seconds in, and I'm
sold. Nightclub stuff right here, not too far off of B.B.'s version, but Brad makes it
his own with some tasty licks. "Living Underground" is a tune Brad wrote about the
war in Ukraine, playing us images of someone losing their home and everything
else. I really like his acoustic 6-string playing, together with electric, and piano to
create a touching tune that will resonate in you. The music is quite beautiful. There is hope at the end as the song's
character finds a feline friend down there. "Let's Dance Tonight" features some jazzy jumpin' blues. A fun night out, a
hot band, you meet someone who's really nice... and they like to dance! So hit the floor with all 2 or 3 of your feet!
Brad lays back with some shrieking lead guitar licks, while its' Luca Catalfamo on barrelhouse piano for the win!
A rooster crowing leads into some sweet California country rock, reminiscent of, and would've fit on any of those
great LP's from the mid 70's....... which is a good thing! Brad's tune about the people of his home area in Central Cali-
fornia, where they are "independent, and feel good about life". This is a nice blend of acoustic and electric guitars,
and his voice is perfect for it. My fave so far. "Time Was" is a slower song, which is like a walk on the beach near sun-
set, exactly what he wrote this one about. A suh-weet electric solo adds to this tune which is as good as anything out
there on AM/FM radio. More west coast themes are on "San Francisco Nights." Featuring a great chorus of backing
vocals from Paulina Campos and Valerie Chanelle. Piano laden, uplifting stuff that will keep you happy as you stroll
in the city. Brad wrote "Sundown & The Cowboy" about his parents, and I really like it. More acoustic guitar, backed
by some stinging electric, creates a southern rock vibe. And from first song to last, Francis Buckley definitely has this
producer/mixing stuff down pat, a really excellent sound and blend.
"Sky Full Of Rain" brings on some haunting blues. Brad's guitars couldn't be any better. A tune about a life that's
looking bleak, and the music he's created here matches it. Another fave of mine and you'll think the same. "Between
The Hours" is Bonamassa style, and I mean that with all the compliments we can muster up. Chris Ryne adds the
Hammond B3 as a blanket that the rest of the band can lay on. I was quite impressed with this heavy one. To close is
"Cry Me A River," which is some classy, jazz-tinged dark nightclub stuff. The piano is king, while Brad plays some
screamin' notes, which remain in control of the bluesy vibration I'm getting
"Boundless" may be the best Brad has done to date. The sign of a great recording artist is the ability to grow with
every release. And he's done that here. No doubting his guitar ability, but he has really grown as a song writer. Life
isn't all just piercing electric guitar solos. Brad has crafted a complete mix of fast and slow, acoustic and electric, blues
and rock. There is plenty to like here, no matter what your personal preferences are. All the more reason to get this
one
August 2026
Volume 31 Number 8
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Monterey, California-based singer/guitarist Brad “Guitar” Wilson recently issued Boundless (Cali Bee Records), containing a whopping 16 tracks, 12 written by Wilson with four intriguing cover tunes. Wilson handles all guitar (after all, “Guitar” is his middle name) and vocals, and is backed by drummers Toto Poznantek, Chris Ross, or Adam Gust, keyboardist Chris Rhyne, Luca Catalfamo, or Frankie Vriens, bassists Hal Cragin, Brian Beal, or Fabrizo Erba, Francis Buckley on synth bass and percussion, and backing vocalists Paulina Campos and Valerie Chanelle.
The opener is the B.B. King standard “The Thrill is Gone,” and it's a bit slicker than the original, which is not really a bad thing because Wilson offers clean, precise fretwork and a smooth vocal that work well. The first original follows, “More of You,” which has a catchy pop feel with catchy lyrics and a solid groove.
“Hit The Road Jack,” the Percy Mayfield classic, gets an interesting interpretation, a funky, swinging rhythm with vocals to match by Wilson, supported by Campos and Chanelle. “Gonna Stay or Go” is a high-powered, soulful rocker.
“Living Underground” was inspired by the war in Ukraine, capturing the feeling of fear and loss that's a regular part of life for the people in that country, and the cover of Tears For Fears' “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” is well-done and about as bluesy as it could possibly get with Wilson's guitar work.
“Let's Dance Tonight” is a lively rock 'n' roller with crisp fretwork and dazzling work on the ivories, “Wild and Free” is a nice Southern rocker, and “Home” is an upbeat acoustic number that leans toward folk.
“Time Was” is an easygoing, reflective tune recalling simpler times, and “San Francisco Nights” is a soulful jazz number with sweet background vocals. “Sundown and the Cowboy” recalls the country-rock hits of the '70s.
“Sky Full of Rain” is a great blues-based ballad with strong vocals and guitar from Wilson, “Between the Hours” has a vintage British blues rock vibe, and “Blues Magic” is a mid-tempo blues track with a smooth rhythm and sharp fret work.
The album closer is a fine cover of the pop classic “Cry Me a River,” again with stellar vocals and guitar from Wilson.
Boundless is another impressive release from Brad “Guitar” Wilson that demonstrates his talent and ability to excel in a variety of styles while managing to keep one foot in the blues.
--- Graham Clarke
Blue Notes and Conversations Album Review
Brad "Guitar"Wilson - "BOUNDLESS" - www.bradwilsonlive.com
Produced and Mixed by Francis Buckley
Mark Pucci Media - www.markpuccimedia.com
Recorded - Musicians Institute Studios, Hollywood, California
ICP Studios,Brussels,Belgium / Mondragon Studios,Bakersfield,California / Recording in Visalia,California
Brad "Guitar" Wilson - "Boundless" is the follow-up to Brad’s 2025 release, "The Californian," a top charting album on the Roots Music Report, spending 12 weeks at #1 on their Blues Rock Album chart and multiple appearances on their blues rock songs list. "The Californian" also charted heavily on the UK's IBBA(Independent Blues Broadcaster's Association) chart and is featured on Sirius XM's B.B.King's Bluesville channel for his song "Lightning In a Bottle."
Brad has built an enthusiastic, world-wide following, with a reputation built on stellar guitar playing, strong songwriting, and a charismatic live performance style. His guitar work has a soulful, melodic, contemporary sound that taps into all his sources of inspiration: a bit of rock guitar in a deep blues setting—Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Freddie King, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, B.B. King, Jimmy Page, Gary Moore, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
"Boundless" has been described as a blues-tinged rock record that uses blues elements as part of a broader, more modern sound. Brad "Guitar" Wilson has released a strong, ambitious record for fans of his imaginative guitar work and eclectic style. It's not a deep-cut blues classic for the purists out there, but the album is a broad, accessible set that showcases Brad's range, creativity, and technical skill. "Boundless" is a polished, well-produced album with several standout tracks:
"The Thrill Is Gone" - “’The Thrill Is Gone’ was recorded in Brussels, Belgium, at the famous ICP Studios,” Brad Wilson says.” “They have an amazing collection of vintage equipment, and the studio had purchased one of B.B. King’s ‘Lucille’ guitars. The sound of the guitar rings so true on this classic B.B. King song. It made recording this so exciting to hear the playback for the first time.”
"Living Underground" - and - "Sky Full of Rain" - “On ‘Living Underground,’ like everyone, I was reading about the terrible war in Ukraine, so I wrote ‘Living Underground’ imagining the experience of your home and everything you love gone. Under these conditions, you begin to live underground for safety. A furry friend turns up and makes his life better. ‘Sky Full of Rain’ is a blues showcase for guitar that producer Francis Buckley recorded and mixed so well. A story of desperation, no job and no longer having the skills to find work.”
"Everybody Wants To Rule The World" - For his re-imagining of the Tears for Fears ‘80s smash hit, “Everybody Wants To Rule the World,” Wilson adds, “I had always loved this song, and both the music and lyrics I find inspiring. Recorded at ICP studios with the band I tour with in Europe. The musicians played the song with the intensity of an original, and we also perform this song live in concert. It fits my style and blends in with the show and allows me to play lots of hot lead guitar!”
"More of You" - " A favorite on the album. A love song that I enjoy singing the lyrics: "top to bottom, round and round, you always astound. "Everybody knows what it's like to be in love with someone. The song captures the excitement of being crazy in love."
"Hit The Road Jack" - "We played this fabulous song at the shows before we recorded the new album and everyone in the audience loves to sing the chorus. We started on the song and by the end of the first guitar solo, everybody wants to join in. We take the band down to drums and bass and you can hear the audience from outside the venue. Everyone has so much fun singing this song with me."
"Between The Hours" - The song leans into a blues-rock energy with a strong emphasis on guitar-driven riffs, a driving rhythm section, and a vibe reminiscent of the 1970s British blues-rock scene; it is a fan favorite for live performances.
"Let's Dance Tonight" - A rockabilly-inspired track blending upbeat energy with a retro vibe, a touch of barrelhouse piano courtesy of Luca Catalfano. Here, we have a vintage juke-joint feel that comes party-ready, delivering loads of fun.
"Boundless" from Brad "Guitar" Wilson is filled with plenty of guitar firepower, showcasing this masterful musician's boundless energy and limitless enthusiasm. This project has allowed Brad "Guitar" Wilson to work without boundaries or limits-"BOUNDLESS"- expanding his songwriting, guitar playing, and performances to even greater heights. There is a great band working together on these sessions: a solid touring group and top-tier session players, all under the guidance of Grammy-winning producer Francis Buckley, who contributes synth bass and percussion as well as helping to shape the album's blend of blues-infused rock, original songwriting, and the reinterpretation of classics.
If you enjoy blues-infused rock, pop covers, and original guitar-driven songs, the album is well worth your time. For those seeking a more traditional, gritty blues experience, this album may feel less authentic. However, if you want music that will make you smile, help you forget your troubles for a bit, and make you feel good, "Boundless" is most certainly a "must have". A blues-rock album with a feel-good edge, not purely traditional blues, but music that will certainly lift your spirits and make you feel good all over.
Drums - Toto Poznantek - Chris Ross - Adam Guest
Keyboards - Chris Rhyne - Lucas Catalfano - Frankie Vriens
Bass - Hal Cragin, Brian Beal - Fabrizio Erba
Synth Bass and Percussion - Francis Buckley
Additional Singers - Paulina Campos - Valerie Chanelle
Written by - John Muller - Blue Notes and Conversations
Blues News Switzerland Review Translation
Brad "Guitar" Wilson has titled the follow-up to his successful 2025 album *The Californian, "Boundless"— and the name hits the nail on the head, as the musical range is indeed limitless. This album, recorded partly in Brussels and partly in Hollywood, boasts an impressive 16 tracks. They encompass everything from blues standards and pop anthems to intriguing original compositions spanning a wide variety of styles, giving *Boundless* a charming jukebox vibe. What ties it all together is Wilson’s melodic guitar work — always serving the song—and his soulful vocals.
The blues contingent includes the opening track, B.B. King’s 1969 crossover hit "The Thrill Is Gone," which receives a special touch here thanks to Brad playing an original B.B. "Lucille" guitar. Wilson ventures into pop territory with the Tears For Fears chart-topper "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"—interpreted here with a soulful, bluesy feel—a song that frequently features in his live sets.
"Gonna Stay or Go" and "Living Underground," both penned by Wilson, possess a sonic flair reminiscent of 1960s Britain; the latter’s contemplative lyrics were, according to the guitarist, inspired by the war in Ukraine. "Let’s Dance Tonight" hails from the rockabilly realm, while "Wild and Free with Rooster" evokes the glory days of Lynyrd Skynyrd. "Home," driven by acoustic guitar, leans toward folk-rock; "Time Was" is easy listening; "San Francisco Nights" carries a soulful, jazzy undertone; and "Sky Full of Rain" falls squarely into the category of heartbreak ballads. Brad Wilson (voc, g), Toto Poznantek, Chris Ross, Adam Gust (dr), Chris Rhyne, Luca Catalfamo, Frankie Vriens (keys), Hal Cragin, Brian Beal, Fabrizo Erba (b), Francis Buckley (synth-b, perc, prod), Paulina Campos, Valerie Chanelle (b-voc)
(CD, DL, www.bradwilsonlive.com)
Marco Piazzalonga