Izzy & Chris won the Appalachian Blues competition in 2007 and made a respectable showing at the IBC in Memphis in 2008. They’ve played on the main stage at many blues festivals and have opened for acts like Keb’ Mo’, Watermelon Slim, Buckwheat Zydeco, Robert Cray, Charlie Musselwhite, Johnny Winter, and Buddy Guy.

Izzy is Israel Stetar (guitar, Dobro, and vocals) and Chris is Chris Nacy (harmonica). Their debut recording, Preachin’ The Blues Vol. 1 (80/20 Entertainment), offers an earthy, but melodic take on acoustic blues.

Stetar wrote 10 of the 11 songs on the disc, all dealing with familiar blues subjects. Among the highlights are “Steady Rollin’ Daddy,” which sounds like early Muddy Waters, the autobiographical “Shame, Shame, Shame,” about a sour relationship, “Back To Memphis,” the timely “Flat Broke and Busted,” “If You Hear Me Cryin’,” and the spirited title track, which closes the disc. Nacy’s harmonica work is first-rate and serves as a perfect backdrop to the songs and guitar.

Izzy & Chris capture the atmosphere and sound of country blues perfectly. It’s impressive to find a debut release of country blues with all original tunes recorded with such confidence and passion. We’ll be hearing more from this duo.