I was browsing the blues aisle in Zia Records over Fourth Of July weekend and saw this disc, and while I was reading the back cover, two people stopped to tell me how good this disc was.
For $7.99, I thought I'd give it a try.
Jimmy Rogers was a guitarist in Muddy Waters' classic lineup, which also included harpist Little Walter and bassists Big Crawford or Willie Dixon.
Matching the acumen of the "old timers" with the flash and commercial muscle of the upstarts, Jimmy Rogers holed up in the studio with rock icons like Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Eric Clapton (among others) to create what would be the late singer-guitarist's swan song, Blues Blues Blues. With other rock-era titans (Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Stephen Stills) and a few blues stalwarts (Jeff Healey, Taj Mahal) along to lend support, this record is a star-studded sendoff to one of the blues' noble patriarchs
Over the years, I have seen many collaborations between blus artists and rock musicians, and many times have found it preferable to stick to the original blues recordings.
Credited to the Jimmy Rogers' All Stars, Blues Blues Blues doesn't disappoint at all, with strong rhythms, solid performances and excellent production values.
The blues classics are laid on a British rock foundation, but it does not veer altogether too much into the rock territory, striking a nice balance between blues and rock. The rock power is there, but this is unmistakably blues.
Excellent piano and harp add to solid guitar work, avoiding the cliché of a guitar shoot-out. Produer John Koenig opts instead to have the guitars provide a pleasant, easy-to-listen backing without taking over the songs.
One thing I noticed-the guitar in "Goin' Away Baby" sounds an awful lot like Mr. Petty lifted it for "Jefferson Jericho Blues" on the Mojo album!
I think my friend Stephen T. would label this as a great CD for driving, and I could see where you would avoid highway hypnosis with this disc on. There's a little something for everyone here-fans of classic and British rock, country rock, blues purists and blues newcomers will all find something to listen to here.
I don't think you can go wrong with this disc. At $7.99, it was a steal.
TROUBLE NO MORE
Well, that was definitely some pretty good stuffs right there.
ReplyDeleteI need to borrow this one from ya sometime, 'cause I'm curious to hear that possible influence on "Jefferson Jericho Blues".
It wouldn't surprise me at all if you're right about that, for as I said previously, I think the "MOJO" album is as much a tribute to other musical performers as it is a Tom Petty album. Traffic, Led Zep, The Doors, and the two or three other influences I mentioned having found within its grooves, I am convinced, is no mere coincidence.
Heck, I think the only performer NOT represented on "MOJO" is Tiny Tim. ...But then again, maybe I simply need to give the album one mo' listen to find it.
;o)
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
POSTSCRIPT: You mentioned Little Walter. Absolutely, positively, the BEST Blues harmonica player EVER! Number 2, for me, would probably be James Cotton (and Muddy employed 'em both!) But no one tops Li'l Walter in my book; the dude was a harp monster!
In the Guitar department, however, I give the nod to Wolf, as I prefer Hubert Sumlin to Jimmy Rogers. Can't go wrong with either one though.
I used to love haunting the cut out bins and have found so many great discoveries among those discounted albums. Don't see the cut outs like I used to, but then again I don't see CDs for sale like I used to.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
Stephen-
ReplyDeleteI believe I read that Tom Petty lists TT as an influence...;-)
Lee- I don't know about LA, but in AZ, we've got one CD indie chain, a little bit of floor space in Best Buy, Target or Walmat, and not much else choice for buying CD's.
LC