CD Review
"Got My Eyes On You"
Barrellhouse Chuck And The All Star Blues Band
The Sirens Records SR-5104
Roots & Rhythm
by Craig Ruskey

BARRELHOUSE CHUCK And The All-Star Blues Band: "Got My Eyes On You"
The Sirens 5014 $15.98
13 tracks, 49 mins, Essential *****
It's almost impossible to imagine (or find) modern blues this good in a time when the art form has been all but forgotten by the dwindling cast who play the music with its dynamic beauty still intact, but tossing Barrelhouse Chuck in a recording studio with Kim Wilson, Joel Foy, Eddie Taylor Jr., Calvin Jones, and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith was nothing short of brilliant on the part of producer Steven Dolins. Although the CD bears Chuck's name as the featured artist, he is a gifted accompanist and sideman first and foremost - one who knows what subtlety brings - and he plays brilliantly here with Wilson's harp, the buzzing guitars, and drilling rhythm section as much to the fore as Goering's wonderfully traditional keyboard work and vocals. Whether covering Floyd Jones, Detroit Junior, Sunnyland Slim, Big Moose Walker, Big Smokey Smothers, Eddie Taylor, and Muddy Waters among others, this gathering delivers one of best blues discs of 2006 without question. Essential, smoldering, and lowdown! (CR)

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