The Cash Box Kings, according to Living Blues magazine, “are one of the best blues bands in the land.” The group, co-led by real-deal Chicago blues vocalist and songwriter Oscar “Mr. 43rd Street” Wilson, and Madison, Wisconsin-based songwriter, harmonica giant and singer Joe Nosek, plays masterfully raw, unvarnished, old-school ensemble blues. Wilson’s huge, emotive vocals and Nosek’s blistering harmonica fuel their razor-sharp original songs and always incisive reinvention of obscure blues classics. AllMusic says The Cash Box Kings offer up “an enthusiastic celebration of Chicago blues in all of its electric forms…funny and smart…slow grooves and hyper-charged shuffles. The Cash Box Kings don’t merely pay homage to the past, they bring tradition into the present [and deliver] a rollicking good time.”

On their new Alligator Records album, Oscar’s Motel (their third for the label and 11th overall), The Cash Box Kings bring contemporary authority and old-school authenticity to each of the album’s 11 tracks. The band–featuring guitarist Billy Flynn, drummer Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, bassist John W. Lauler, and keyboardist Lee Kanehira–opens a door into the intoxicating spirit and sounds of 1950s and 1960s Chicago-based blues, and then they bring it all right up to the minute with Wilson and Nosek’s original, instantly memorable songs.

For Oscar’s Motel, recorded in Chicago and produced by Nosek, The Cash Box Kings made some significant decisions going into the studio. According to Nosek, “While we are never afraid to tackle any subject, we decided to put aside everyday problems and have a bit more fun. So, no songs about COVID and this time nothing too political. Our goal was to have Oscar’s Motel be a celebration, an open invitation to leave your troubles behind and have a carefree, down-home, good time.” One listen and it’s clear the band succeeded. The opening two songs–the driving, cinematic title track (with lyrics so vivid you can just about smell the barbeque) and the funky Down On The South Side, are filled with real life characters ripped straight from Wilson’s colorful past. Wilson says, “Such a glorious time. Growing up, there was a tavern on every corner with a band playing and music coming from front porches on every block.”

From the wickedly good-natured I Can’t Stand You (featuring sparring partners Wilson and vocalist Deitra Farr) to the pleading slow blues Trying So Hard to the rollicking Hot Little Mess, Wilson, Nosek and company break out one gloriously jubilant performance after another. In the funny-but-true tale, I Want What Chaz Has, famed bluesman John Nemeth (who’s released 11 albums of his own) adds his soulful vocals. On the gospel-inflected, deeply moving Nobody Called It The Blues, the band digs deep in an uplifting performance memorializing and celebrating the long history and healing power of blues music. On the closing Ride Santa Ride, The Cash Box Kings give Chuck Berry and his reindeer a run for their Christmas money.