Search - Jay Mcshann :: Confessin' the Blues

Confessin' the Blues

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 10/13/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jay McShann cut this album in 1969 in Paris while on one of his many tours of Europe. By coincidence, T-Bone Walker was in Paris at the same time and was invited to sit in on about half the numbers. I was excited when I saw Walker's name in the personnel, expecting exciting things between him and McShann, but it was not to be: Walker adds little to the proceedings (I wish McShann had employed a horn man like Buddy Tate instead).



McShann sings on four titles in his instantly recognizable pinched, less-than-booming voice, and these are the best tracks on the CD. Every tune is a blues. KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF HER and FOUR DAY RIDER are taken up tempo and are great tunes done nicely by Jay. Little Willie Littlefield's KANSAS CITY is here, and McShann plays and sings it like it's all his own. This is a good CD and should satisfy McShann fans as well as piano blues aficionados."