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LYNWOOD
SLIM "LAST CALL"
Source: Jazz &
Blues Magazine
Date: 07/2006
Writer: Mark Smith |
After
stints on the Atomic Theory, Coldwind and Pacific
Blues labels, harmonica ace Lynwood Slim has joined
Delta Groove which has become home to a who’s
who of the West Coast blues scene. For this effort
Slim has rounded up label mates Kirk Fletcher
on guitar and Richard Innes on drums (both of
the Hollywood Blue Flames) as well as long time
guitar foil Kid Ramos and a host of other guests
to swing and strut this way through 12 cuts that
range from the late night jazzy blues of Pete
Hohnson and Big Joe Turner, “Wee Baby Blues”
to the Clifton Chenier classic , “All Night
Long” which substitutes Ramos’ urgent
guitar work for the Chenier’s accordion.
Between
those bookends, Slim covers a lot of musical
ground including the harmonica fueled shuffle,
“Across the Sea,” the doo-wop reworking
of Bo Diddley’s “I’m Sorry,”
the peppy guitar and sax driven “I’m
Tired,” the fast paced piano work out,
“You’re a Pain,” (featuring
Carl Sonny Leland) and the mildly raucous “Say
It.” For the most part Slim leaves his
harmonica in his pocket and focuses on this
sleek, soulful vocals. With a voice that recalls
Sugar Ray Norcia, Slim cuts a commanding swath
through classics such as Duke Ellington’s
“Nothing but the Blues” and the
Billie Holiday staple, “Me, Myself and
I” which he delivers with an old-timey
vaudeville flair. Also included is the oft covered
“Well Alright, O.K. You Win” which
is given new life by Slim’s energetic
delivery. Slim’s own material stands up
well to the lofty standards of these covers
especially on the disc closer, “You Never
Cried for Me” which puts you firmly into
a smoky downstairs club with a deep case of
the blues and only Kirk Fletcher’s guitar
and Slim’s haunting flute work to save
you from the bottom.
While
this disc won’t have you throwing back
the rug for a party it will make the next scotch
go down real easy. |
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