VOA标准英语2010年-Mike Zito Fuses Rock, Blues, Soul on '

Doug Levine | Washington 04 January 2010

Rock, blues¹ and soul come together on a new release titled Pearl River by rising singer and guitarist Mike Zito. 

For Mike Zito, singing "Dirty Blonde" from Pearl River, the phrase "up-and-comer" is a thing of the past.  As one reviewer writes, "With his husky vocals² and hard rocking guitar, Mike is well on his way to the big time."

Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Zito gravitated to the guitar after hearing an album by '80s rockers Van Halen.  Guitar greats Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and B.B. King also made an impression, as well as Prince and Buddy³ Guy.

Mike crafted his skills while working in a local guitar shop frequented by legendary⁴ rocker Chuck Berry.  Looking back, Mike says, "I soaked up the sounds of that store, and began building my own style."

After a succession of independent releases in the 1990s, Mike picked up a steady stream of followers⁵ on extensive tours across the country.  When he wasn't touring, he spent his time off playing nightly gigs in his hometown.

Weary from touring, and close to giving up altogether on a career in music, Mike remained confident that he was close to gaining a major label contract.  He says, "Music can change everything; how you feel; how you see and what you believe."  Sure enough, he was offered a national distribution deal with Delta⁶ Groove⁷ Music. 

Mike Zito performs the haunting title track from his second Delta Groove release, "Pearl River."  The album recently debuted⁸ in the Top 10 on Billboard's blues chart.

Much of the album was inspired by the sights and sounds of New Orleans, Louisiana, where Pearl River was recorded, including a duet titled "Shoes Blues" with singer Susan Cowsill of the '60s pop band The Cowsills.

1 blues   

n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐

参考例句：

• She was in the back of a smoky bar singing the blues.她在烟雾弥漫的酒吧深处唱着布鲁斯歌曲。
• He was in the blues on account of his failure in business.他因事业失败而意志消沉。

2 vocals   

（乐曲中的）歌唱部份，声乐部份( vocal的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Also look out for soaring vocals on The Right Man. 另外，也可留意一下《意中人》中的那高亢的唱腔。
• Lazy bass line, lazier drums, lush violins, great piano and incomparable vocals. 懒惰的低音线，较懒惰的鼓，饮小提琴，棒的钢琴和无比的声音。

3 buddy   

n.（美口）密友，伙伴

参考例句：

• Calm down,buddy.What's the trouble?压压气，老兄。有什么麻烦吗？
• Get out of my way,buddy!别挡道了，你这家伙！

4 legendary   

adj.传奇（中）的，闻名遐迩的；n.传奇（文学）

参考例句：

• Legendary stories are passed down from parents to children.传奇故事是由父母传给孩子们的。
• Odysseus was a legendary Greek hero.奥狄修斯是传说中的希腊英雄。

5 followers   

追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件

参考例句：

• the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
• The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。

6 delta   

n.（流的）角洲

参考例句：

• He has been to the delta of the Nile.他曾去过尼罗河三角洲。
• The Nile divides at its mouth and forms a delta.尼罗河在河口分岔，形成了一个三角洲。

7 groove   

n.沟，槽；凹线，（刻出的）线条，习惯

参考例句：

• They're happy to stay in the same old groove.他们乐于墨守成规。
• The cupboard door slides open along the groove.食橱门沿槽移开。

8 debuted   

初次表演，初次登台（debut的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• In late 2003 a full-size SUV, the Pathfinder Armada, debuted. 2003年末，全尺寸SUV的探路者无敌舰队，推出。
• The album debuted at number two and quickly went platinum. 专辑一亮相就荣登排行榜第二名，很快就取得了白金销量。