Search - Eddy Clearwater :: West Side Strut

A strong contender for blues record of the year

Tim Holek | 06/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater's Alligator debut was one of the most anticipated blues CDs of 2008. Known around the globe as a consummate showman, Clearwater - a long-time giant of the West Side Chicago blues sound - is ecstatic about the record deal. "Recording for Alligator is a dream I've had for many years," says The Chief. Clearwater becomes the first Chicago-based artist to release a recording on Alligator since the early to mid '90s.



Ronnie Baker Brooks was hand-picked by Clearwater to produce the record. This has resulted in different, newer, and younger ideas being added to Clearwater's established sound. Baker Brooks also contributes guitar, percussion, bass, background vocals, two original songs as well as three co-written songs. Best of all the differing styles (traditional versus contemporary) of these bluesmen complement each other instead of colliding with each other.



The CD contains blues, soul, and gospel. The sonic innovation of Billy Branch's harp, in the opening number A Good Leavin' Alone, makes it known that this is a loud, proud, and bold Chicago blues record. Here, while blazing a trail on his fret board, Clearwater growls the lyrics out like a bear. Throughout the duration of the disc, his vocals are far more tame and weary. Gotta Move On is a soulful ballad that is emotional and sensitive whereas Too Old To Get Married is the exact opposite. The latter is a fun rock and blues boogie that features Lonnie Brooks on guitar and vocals. Clearwater's Indian heritage is heard in the heavy beat of the ultra contemporary They Call Me The Chief. Eddy, who has been in Chicago since 1950, doesn't need to lean on the strength of cover songs because his own songs are strong enough. Yet, Clearwater and Branch have a blast - literally - trading solos on Muddy Waters' Walking Through The Park which is made to sound very contemporary. Rock-A-Blues Baby was almost left off the album. It combines pop and hip-hop beats with heavy metal power chording and sounds unlike anything else on the disc.



The best songs were written by all the contributing songwriters. Ronnie's hot rockin' guitar rips on the captivating Hypnotized. The gospel sounding Do Unto Others - about treating others with respect - was written by Clearwater's publicist Karen Leipziger. Guest vocalists Jimmy Johnson and Otis Clay make the track superb while Baker Brooks' remarkable guitar work brings forth the emotions of the stirring lyrics. Clearwater's best guitar performance surfaces on a brilliant cover of Lowell Fulson's Trouble Trouble. With a rich and deep message for hate and war to cease, the gospel-like A Time For Peace is enriching due to the backing vocals of six accompanists. Here and throughout the organ and piano of Darryl Coutts is dazzling.



It could be a challenge to re-create these songs live as they were not recorded with Clearwater's band - they were recorded with Baker Brooks' band. Yet, this is an exceptional album. West Side Strut is the perfect mix of young and old, traditional and contemporary, today and tomorrow. It is a strong contender for blues record of the year.

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A very good blues cd, eventually

massimo pulleghini | curtatone(eremo), mantova Italy | 05/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"finally we can enjoy a real good electric blues cd, after too many disappointments. the chief has recorded maybe his best record (but i haven't listened yet a bad cd by him). after all, you can simply read the guest musicians' names: Billy Branch, Lonnie Brooks, Otis Clay, Jimmy Johnson. what can you expect by these? great solos, great energy, great souls. everybody should buy this record and have great fun."

Clearwater as good as ever with this 'West Side Strut'

Jose Maria Domenech Fedi | 05/19/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As I often say, I very much like Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater in spite of this touch of soul sometimes present in his songs. But this 2008 `West Side Strut' is a very good record practically without soul in it, only "Hypnotized" has some touch of soul.

This record features very good compositions, and great vocal and guitar performances: his guitar attack is still the one he took from his mentors Freddie King, Luther Allison and Magic Sam, with its typical West-Side sound. In almost any record there always are some songs that stand out. In this record there are three in my opinion absolutely great Blues: the originals "Blue Over You" , "Rock-A-Blues Baby" and Lowell Fulson's "Trouble Trouble", the latter brilliantly performed.

All the record is very good excepting "A Time For Pace", which lacks inspiration and "Came Up The Hard Way" that although good has a weak acoustic start. I do very much like his version in "Boogie my Blues Away", on the other hand. To sum up, this Clearwater's record is very good. I give it 4 stars.

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