Popa Chubby

Fresh musical ideas, that’s what Popa Chubby (aka Ted Horowitz) is all about, and has been since bursting onto the scene in the early ’90s. Fresh blood and a sometimes overzealous shot of "street” inform his work, which mixes his love for hardcore blues rock with elements of hip-hop, which is reflective of his upbringing in the tough end of the Bronx. Sometimes it works. Yet on Deliveries, Chubby zeroes in on his harder-edged blues and, although an irregular set, it boasts some of his finest and most fiery playing to date. Albeit a bit of a novelty, his instrumental treatment of "The Godfather Theme” is a jaw-dropping demonstration of his meaty chops. "Grown Man Crying Blues” marks some of his finest-ever blues guitar, with room to breathe at over eight minutes. Likewise, "I’ll Piss on your Grave” cuts deep and, although somewhat brash, is a ferocious slow blues attack. "Man of the Blues” assumes a rockabilly stance, while "2nd Avenue Shuffle” showcases crisp, feel-good guitar blues that underline Chubby’s oversized abilities when it comes to delivering solid ideas served with authentic attitude and flesh-searing style.