Barrellhouse Chuck And The All Star Blues Band
The Sirens Records SR-5104
Blues & Rhythm (Nov. 2006 # 214)
by Norman Darwen
Those of you like me, who had The Sirens pegged as a label specializing in
vintage piano blues and gospel, will certainly be reassured by " Mama you
don't mean me no good", which had me checking the liner to see where this
unissued Little Brother Mntgomery gem had been unearthed -but of course it
is in fact Barrelhouse Chuck and Eiko Izumi. The closing number will be as
equally comforting, a quick minute and a half of nifty string band jazz "
Izy Mae". with Gregg Rodriguez on Mandolin & Fiddle.
This reassurance might be necessary as the set itself opens with Kim
Wilson's blasting amplified harp driving along and coincidentally setting
the pace and tone for all of the set up to the final brace of songs. this is
chuck the Chicago blues combo pianist and singer, playing tributes to the
likes of Sunnyland slim, Little Brother Montgomery, Detroit Junior ( in a
very nice touch. Detroit'd companion Ella Evens does the spoken intro to "
Call My job" ), Memphis Slim with a very impressive " Mother Earth", Floyd
jones, Smokey Smothers, Muddy Waters, Big Moose Walker, Eddie Taylor et al.
Besides Wilson, the band consists of guitarists Joel Foy and Eddie Taylor
Jr. ( the latter keeping things in the family by turning in a creditable
vocal on " Big Town Playboy"), and muddy Waters old
rhythm section of Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and Calvin "Fuzz" Jones, with
Kenny Smith taking over the drum chair on one number and Frank Bandy taking
over the bass for Calvin on two numbers.The sound is very much that of the
fifties filtered through Muddy's seventies band- ie. This is a real belter
of a set, with chuck proving himself to be an excellent and versatile
vocalist to complement his already recognized talents on the keyboards ( his
Big Moose tribute is an Hammond organ piece).
In short, this CD is a rather unexpected little gem, sure to appeal to
lovers of the classic Chicago sound. I liked chuck's music before, I like
even more now!
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