MAGIC SAM - THE MAGIC SAM LEGACY
Magic Sam "The Magic Sam Legacy" Album Review
A fine collection of outtakes and alternates
This album brings together 13 outtakes from the "West Side Soul" and "Black Magic" sessions...those two being the only regular studio albums issued by Magic Sam during his lifetime, of course.
The overall quality is not quite as high as on either of those two albums, but there are still plenty of gems here.
Sam's performance of "I Feel So Good" (which is actually John Lee Hooker's "Boogie Chillun") and Jimmy Rogers' "Walkin' By Myself" are probably something of an acquired taste, and you have to be very fond of Magic Sam Maghett not to prefer the originals.
But his rendition of "Hoochie Coochie Man" packs a lot of punch, and "Shakey" Jake Harris supplies excellent, gritty harmonica. Other highlights include a bouncy "That Ain't It", Sam's own "What Have I Done Wrong", an alternative "That's All I Need", and a spirited take on the R&B gem "I Just Want A Little Bit".
Several of these songs appear in slightly different versions on "West Side Soul" or "Black Magic", and that's where newcomers should start. But more serious fans will certainly want to pick up this fine companion volume as well, not least for those songs which are not available anywhere else.
"Blues For Odie Payne" is one of them, a soulful instrumental with a wonderful piano part by the great Lafayette Leake, and the slow burner "Keep On Doin' What You're Doin'" is another.
Sam was an excellent vocalist, and an inspired lead guitarist, and this is great stuff.
WILLIE BIG EYES SMITH - BAG FULL OF BLUES
Willie Big Eyes Smith "Bag Full of Blues" Album Review
Like Chicago blues? Buy this album.
I saw Willie "Big Eyes" Smith in a room where the audience totaled two people (four if you count the bartender and waitress.) He played two long sets, indulged most of our increasingly drunken requests, and patiently answered our questions during the set break. This album is meat-n-potatoes Chicago blues like they used to make when drummers knew how to play a shuffle and 4 minute songs weren't loaded with 3 minutes and forty-five seconds of frenetic guitar work. Recommended.
CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE - SANCTUARY
Charlie Musselwhite "Sanctuary" Album Review
Listen to the Master
If you ever wanted a way to "jump down a manhole and light yourself a candle" this could be the way. Buy this Sanctuary cd and you shall hear the Buddah of Blues in all his gentle glory both above the ground and deep within. Warning. Once Charlie lights the candle and takes you for a ride on his midnight train, you'll never forget just how dark it really is out there in "The Neighborhood". Take his hand, listen to his music, and rebuild your faith with a deeper understanding.
Video CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE - blues for yesterday
LIVE # Delta Hardware (2006) # Sanctuary (2004) # Louisiana Fog (2004) # Live 1986: Up & Down The... (2003) # One Night In America (2002) # Up And Down The Highway:... (2000) # Continental Drifter (1999) # Curtain Call Cocktails (1998) # Rough News (1997) # Takin' Care Of Business (1995) # Takin' Care Of Business (1995) # The Blues Never Die (1994) # Louisiana Fog (1994) # The Harmonica According ... (1994) # In My Time (1993) # Where Have All The Good ... (1992) # Signature (1991) # Ace Of Harps (1990) # Memphis Charlie (1990) # Tennessee Woman (1969) # Stone Blues (1968) # Stand Back! Here Comes C... (1967)
PAUL GEREMIA - LOVE MURDER AND MOSQUITOS
Paul Geremia "Love Murder and Mosquitos" Album Review
Love, Murder and Right Wing Politics
Slide twelve-string blues is just something you have to hear to believe and Paul Geremia aces it. The title cut 'Meet me in the bottom' alone is worth the price of the CD. There's nothing else like it and I would give it six stars but for the "New Bully of the Town' cut which is just a right wing, anti-government pro-Waco wacko track. The music is fine, mind you, but the politics is offensive, to me, at least. But overall, a great CD, and a great addition to any collection of acoustic blues' modern masters.
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