A new CD from Bonedog Records, the fine little Mon Valley blues label with the big sound, is its second by Pittsburgh's James Hilton -- "Out There." In fact, Hilton recorded the first Bonedog CD, "The James Hilton Band, Is It Rock?"

Hilton is an Alabama-born rock/blues/R&B guitarist and singer/songwriter who's been performing in the Pittsburgh region since the late '60s and early '70s.

But he's probably one of BluesBurgh's least-visible bluesguys, although he's blown strongly by some early rock and R&B breezes, listing the Ventures (can you hear it in the guitar licks?) as one of his earliest influences (The Ventures still live, by the way).

It's definitely a good album. There are choice covers -- the grim Louisiana Red tune "Too Poor to Die," "Midnight Bells are Ringing" by Lowell Fulson, "What About Your Daughter" by J.B. Lenoir (not his more well-known "Mama, Talk to Your Daughter," but an excellent take by Hilton), a Johnny Otis tune "I'm Gonna Whale on You" (who remembers Jonhhy Otis?), and a nicely updated "Where Can You Be" by Jimmy Reed.

Hilton's own "Mr. Bad Luck" fits right in; a nicely crafted bluesy ode to bad luck and trouble.

Hilton is a polished singer and guitarist, and his lack of exposure here is something of a mystery to BlueNotes.

A little research on the Web proved fruitless. Google searches bring up lots of hotel references and not much more.

I did find this 2006 post on the Billy Price blog, in which Billy expresses delight at his first exposure to Hilton.

The band here includes Hilton, guitar and vocals; Brandon Barnes, drums, Jimmy Britton, keyboards; and Jeff Ingersoll (the head Boneguy at Bonedog) on bass. There's great guesting by Robbie Klein and Rick Modery on saxes, Rick Lander's vocal on "Mr. Bad Luck," Mighty Lil Johnson's vocal on "Whale on You," Jarett Yuknalis on harp, Yolanda Barber's stirring background on "My Soul," and Robert "Pecky" Peckman on tambourine.

Speaking of "My Soul," a Clifton Chenier tune, it's one of my favorites on the CD. Hilton's strong singing, Barber's excited backup vocals, tasty keyboard and the shuffling guitar work make it a great outing.

I do have a few quibbles (a tough job, but someone has to do it). As an old newspaper writer and copy editor, I like to see the little things done well.

The Lowell Fulson tune here is credited to Lowell Fulsom, a name he recorded under sometimes, but not who he really was.

I recognized the "Too Poor to Die" lyrics as an old Louisiana Red (Iverson Minter) tune, but I can't pin down the composers on the Web. He may deserve some credit for this tune, but I'm not sure. I'm pretty sure he spent some time in Pittsburgh years ago, but I can't find that, either. I do know that I saw him at the old Decade in Oakland in the late '70s. Red is still around, by the way, and will be at the Chicago Blues festival next month, if you're in the neighborhood. If you are, look me up, too.

Anybody have a similar memory?

But the quibbles aren't meant to take anything away from this very nice CD by Hilton.

This album is a great example of the fine musical talent hiding here in Pittsburgh. He seems to play regularly at the Irwin Eagles. Maybe we can persuade him to show up at a few other local clubs. Spread the joy, James.

A reader also likes Mr. Hilton

Here's a response to the post above from loyal reader (as you'll see below) Cindy Gaich.

I agree, James Hilton is one of the best kept secrets on the blues scene in the area. He always has top musicians with him and every time I have seen the band they put out killer sets. Besides playing with his band, and sitting in at the Thursday Blues Jam with Gil Snyder at the Irwin Eagles, Jimmy on lead, Gil on keyboards, Pete Oddo (cousin to Norm Nardini) on drums and an awesome bass player (sorry I forget his name) get together as a band called Nowhere Road. Great sounds, and these guys have a lot of fun. In the Irwin area we have a long-running annual event, Biddlefest, an all day line-up of local bands as a fundraiser for a local Serbian Club. Nowhere Road played there last September, and knocked me out!

Since I mentioned it, if Blue Notes is ever out east of the city on a Thursday night, check out the Blues Jam at the Irwin Eagles. From what I am told, you never can tell who will show up. Chismo Charles stopped by a few weeks back.

Cindy Gaich (Yes, I'm still out here...reading Blue Notes faithfully!)