STLBlues Reviews

By Cornbread

Telarc’s Got More Blues – New Blues for 2000
{2000 | Telarc}

Somewhere late in the evening on Thanksgiving after eating way too much food I was searching for deals and came across this CD. I got it for $2.99 shipped which is less than you’d pay for a decaf mocha double shot soy latte.

I just love compilations, this one is good – the price made it even better. Check out the songs and artists:

1. I'm The Man (Kenny Neal) – rather simple song, some guitar playin’ and gritty vocals.

2. Let It Go (Son Seals) – rootin’ tootin’ blues, horn accompaniment to Son Seals bluesy vocals. The song has a pretty groove to it and a really groovy guitar solo.

3. Story Of My Life (Terry Evans) – soulful vocals, guitar, harmonica (hey kids, could you ask for more?)

4. Catfish Blues (Ronnie Earl) – we get an excellent rendition of Muddy’s classic tune, it’s an instrumental piece with all guitar and backing Hammond B-3 organ.

5. Hard Working Woman (John Primer) – this cat moved to Chicago and became a sideman to Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters and Magic Slim. Listen to this track, Primer can hold his own as an accomplished blues guitarist and vocalist.

6. Rush Hour Blues (Sam Lay) – this dude is a drummer and vocalist and this song is great, just about as good as gets y’all.

7. I Believe I'll Dust My Broom (Robert Lockwood Jr.) – traditional Delta blues, what else would you expect from Lockwood?

8. Hi-Heel Sneakers (Pinetop Perkins) – piano blues at its best with Sugar Ray Norcia on harmonica and Denny Breau on guitar.

9. What You Got (Kenny Neal) – this is the second dose of Neal on this CD. This song reminded me of “Let it Rain”, it’s fairly slow. I liked it a lot. Neal has come along way as a solo blues great from his beginning as Buddy Guy’s bass player.

10. Later Than You Think (Troy Turner) – is a combination of Louisiana and Texas blues. At the time of this recording this cat was only 29.

11. Dear Son (Son Seals) – this Son song is from “Lettin’ Go”. This raw, acoustic piece that leads into electric blues has a whole new meaning know that Son is gone.

12. Battlefield Of Love (Mighty Sam McClain) – Have you ever wondered what you’d get if you mixed up soul and blues? You’d get, horns, organ and rich vocals with an attitude, you’d get a song like this.

13. Boot Knockin' Boogie
(James Cotton) – this Grammy winning harp player treats us to this fast paced shuffle. Like my grandpappy used to say always end on high note, this song is really good, Telarc ended a highnote!

Son Seals That’s 13 tracks (55:24 minutes) from some of the greatest blues performers of our time. I found this mostly electric blues compilation very enjoyable, made for good listening. I not only recommend y’all try and find this, go out and add any of these guys to your collection. Most of these songs were recorded in 1999 and released in 2000.