Great blues album! A must have!
KV Trout | Los Angeles, CA USA | 05/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am SHOCKED that this album has only one review! Charlie Musselwhite is an award winning blues musician, one of the best blues players alive, one of the best harp players alive, and this is one of his best albums! It's fantastic!
I come home from work feeling crappy after being beaten up in the workaday world, and I put this on, pour a shot of tequila, and suddenly the world is alright again!
Seriously, this is a must-have cd, especially if you like blues harp."
The focus here is strictly on the blues
Tim Holek | 04/02/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Charlie Musselwhite
Deluxe Edition Alligator Records ALCD 5612
While living in the South Side ghetto, Musselwhite sat in with the greats of Chicago. He was tutored on harp by Big Walter Horton, and made his first recordings with him. Musselwhite broke onto the national scene with his 1967 debut album Stand Back! He ended up moving to California, but has spent most of his life on tour. Over his 40-year career, Musselwhite has recorded more than two dozen solo albums for various labels. Only a smidgen of his much-admired musicianship is sampled from his three Alligator albums which were recorded between 1990 and 1994. Still, you hear his Deep South influences (especially in his traditional acoustic guitar), probing and jazz-influenced harmonica, and overall laid-back sensibility. Each of the 12 previously released tracks, including nine Musselwhite originals, on this 62-minute disc have been re-mastered.
Musselwhite has lived a hard-life and his melancholic voice reflects it. He is a far more confidant with his songwriting and harp/guitar playing. Musselwhite plays his sensational mouth organ like a freewheeling piano man barreling up and down the 88s on "River Hip Mama". The tempo of "Mean Ole Frisco" rocks and rolls like a bone-rattling train. Here, the guitar, bass, and drums are so intertwined, they roll along oblivious to Musselwhite. "Blues Got Me Again" relaxes as much as it provokes. As if he is in deep conversation with his best friend, self-reflective lyrics about personal battles like "I get to thinking about everywhere I been / blues don't care where you're going / don't care where you been / thinking about a wasted life of women, wine, and gin / looks like blues done got me again" are delivered. The autobiographical "The Blues Overtook Me" has an engulfing impact, musically and lyrically. Whether you are new to the blues or a converted supporter, you'll relate to its lyrics like "blues made me drunk". "When It Rains It Pours" is full of high ka-rumba. Here, the shrill harp is on the verge of eardrum piercing. "Movin' And Groovin'" is a jam tune that features drum and bass solos. On it, Musselwhite's wistful Mississippi saxophone carries your troubles away like a brisk wind. A full and brazen brass section features on "Mama Long Legs". On "My Road Lies In Darkness", Musselwhite gives a hint of his bleak side which was to come out on his non-Alligator albums.
Musselwhite's treasured musicianship is equaled on many tracks. The Blind Boys of Alabama add their unrivaled vocal harmony on "Bedside Of A Neighbor". Andrew Jones Jr.'s masterful guitar is heard throughout while Gene Taylor's greasy piano is stellar on "If I Should Have Bad Luck". Also included is an unreleased track from the In My Time sessions and a rare acoustic recording of Musselwhite accompanied by mentor Will Shade of the Memphis Jug Band. Unlike his most recent work, the focus here is strictly on the blues.
--- Tim Holek
"
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1