Monthly Archive for January, 2010

VARIOUS ARTISTS

“Got Them Hill Billy Blues – 32 Black Blues Boppers”

(El Toro Records – ETCD1023)

Now here is a great compilation from the good folk at El Toro Records – 32 tracks of fantastic 50s’ belters – a showcase of black blues singers, inspired by hillbilly and country music – featuring ‘big hitters’ such as Chuck Berry, Magic Sam, Lazy Lester, Rosco Gordon and more, but for me the treats, are the guys who are pretty obscure – the likes of Joe Clay, John Greer, Jimmy Newsome, etc.

Most of the singers featured were born in the rural south – some stayed near home to record for labels such as Excello, White Rock and Sun, but others headed north and made their recording bows for Chess, Cobra and Imperial. Over the 32 tracks it’s fair to say there is hardly a clunker amongst them, with some only clocking in at a minute and a half, and barely anything over three minutes!

It would be impossible to do justice to everything so I’ll concentrate on my favourites – but where to start?

Bizarrely Joe Clay, featured on three tracks, is a white rockabilly singer born in Louisiana, but is backed by three African-Americans, including the superb guitar of Mickey ‘Guitar’ Baker, on the songs recorded in New York City. “Crackerjack” is a short, but wild, rockabilly tear-up with killer guitar solo; “You Look Good To Me” is firmly in early Elvis mode, with his last contribution, “Get On The Right Track, Baby” again featuring Baker’s sparkling guitar work.

Baker also features on Big John Greer’s “Come Back, Maybelline” – a very close cousin to Chuck Berry’s big hit “Maybelline”. The lone Chuck Berry track is the very country-flavoured “The Down Bound Train”, from way back to his debut album in 1957. Jimmie Newsome was based in New York City, and his reading of Hank Williams “Long Gone Lonesome Blues” is fabulous – the singer / pianist cutting this in 1954 for MGM.

Chicago blues legend Magic Sam – Samuel Maghett – was born in Grenada, but moved to Chicago when 13 in 1950, he is represented here by his debut release, the frantic “Love Me With A Feeling”, and his final one, “21 Days In Jail”. Both featuring the legendary Willie Dixon on bass. Sadly Sam died at the tragically young age of just 32 in 1969.

Buck Owens “Hot Dog, covered by many, including Led Zeppelin, is performed here by the obscure Californian, Pico Pete – recorded for the Jet label in 1956. Excello stalwarts Jerry McCain and Lazy Lester are on one track each – McCain’s “My Next Door Neighbor” and a demo of Lester’s “I’m A Lover, Not A Fighter” both hail from 1957.

Although only in January, I’ll be surprised if anything better than this appears compilation-wise, certainly for music from this era. Thanks to the El Toro guys for opening my ears to some new names – thank goodness I don’t collect vinyl as I would be hunting some of these gems down for sure!

GRAHAME RHODES

Also available as a double vinyl album see -

www.eltororecords.com

JOE LOUIS WALKER

“Between A Rock And The Blues”

(Stony Plain Records: SPCD1345)

San Francisco bluesman Joe Louis Walker, now aged 60, has been releasing quality blues album since the mid 80s’, and this, his second release for the Canadian label, Stony Plain, finds him in top form – surrounded by the cream of musicians from producer Duke Robillard’s band, and in turn associated with Roomful Of Blues and Ronnie Earl.

The two cuts Walker produced himself sees the band made up of long-time associates – namely Kevin Eubanks (guitar), Henry Oden (bass), Ellis Eugene Blacknell Jr. (piano and organ) and Jeff Minnieweather (drums).

The title, “Between A Rock And The Blues” gives a clue to the fare on offer – from muscular rock-tinged songs to more traditional blues, and some soulful fare – kicking off with the high-energy rocker “I’m Tide” – plenty of snarling guitar leads and his fine voice to the fore; the following “Eyes Like A Cat” is a swinging blues, with sparkling piano from the great Bruce Katz and Carl Queforth and Doug James, respectively very fine on trombone and saxophone.

Walker’s own “Black Widow Spider” treads a soul-flavoured vibe, with the heavy riff of “If There’s A Heaven” changing the feel and direction instantly – definitely one with a rocky edge, but none the worse for it – with incendiary solo. The whole band swing in great style on Murali Coryell’s “Way Too Expensive”, with Joe Louis Walker’s guitar leads answering his vocal. The lengthy ballad “Hallways” – clocking in at seven minutes plus, is reminiscent of Irish blues rocker Gary Moore’s more laid back work – some beautiful mellow guitar and impassioned vocal.

Duke Robillard’s song “Tell Me Why” – a great mid-paced shuffle, sees both him and Walker on guitars and more sparkling tinkling of the ivories from Bruce Katz. The legendary Ray Charles classic “Blackjack” again allows all to stretch out – with, again, fine solos from Walker himself and Katz. “Big Fine Woman” is a funky workout, Walker on wah-wah guitar – with the song hitting a lovely groove.

The album closer is a delightful offering – the acoustic, lazy back-porch “Send You Back” – just Walker’s acoustic guitar and voice, with suitably tasteful harmonica from Sugar Ray Norcia – a very nice way to end a fine album, with if truth be known, a great track.

The full band, apart from the afore-mentioned, also features the rhythm section of Jesse Williams (electric and acoustic bass) and Mark Teixeira (drums and percussion).

GRAHAME RHODES

www.joelouiswalker.com

www.stonyplainrecords.com