January 2003-CD Reviews

The Hudson Blues Band: Every Dog Has It's Day - Self-Released

Nothing fancy about this debut from The Hudson Blues Band, just good ol' fashioned blues. Every dog Has It's Day efficiently combines Texas and Chicago blues with style. The Hudson Blues Band has been a staple on the Seattle club circuit since 1994. The extremely tight quartet consists of: Michael Wilde on vocals and harmonica, Greg "The Kid" Smith on guitar, David Hudson on drums, and Guy Quintino on bass. Every Dog Has It's Day is in many ways a live recording. Recorded in only three sessions with microphones in the room, a little reverb and vintage amplifiers, the disc has an unrehearsed and loose feel to it. The album kicks off with one of six originals. I Don't Go For That is a harp driven shuffle done in the Chicago vain of a Little Walter or Junior Wells. The eleven standards pay homage to the band's long admired influences, such as Otis Rush, Albert King, and Sonny Boy Williams II among a host of others. The band tackles the Dixon classic Mellow Down Easy with an old school style in which Wilde lays down some traditional harp playing. The Earl Hooker classic, Blue Guitar, features unyielding guitar work "The Kid". Veteran Seattle tenor player, Ron Ussery, makes an appearance on the classic shuffle Hug Ya, Kiss Ya unleashing a clean, effective and solid solo. The Austin influence comes to light with the Hudson originals, I'm Not The One and Mama Told Me, where Smith exhibits eminence with inventive guitar licks. There is not an mediocre song on this CD, and the list goes on to include such notable covers as Elmore James One Way Out to another Willie Dixon standard, Hoochie Coochie Man. By keeping it unpretentious and time-honored, The Hudson Blues Band's Every Dog Has It's Day is a very impressive debut, and a gratifying listen for anyone who enjoys their blues uncomplicated and down-to-earth.
Tony Engelhart

Lazy Lester: Blues Stop Knockin' - Antone Records

I have enjoyed Blues Stop Knockin' for a month now. It is like having one's favorite dessert often and unexpectedly: a pure delight. Lazy Lester (Johnson) is only 57 yrs. young -lucky for us blues fans. This is his second release on Antone, preceded by 1999's All Over Me. Blues Stop Knockin' is infused with Lester's swampy harp and distinct vocal style. Each song sounds fresh and spontaneous. It practically feels to the listener as if he or she is in the recording studio. Lester's earlier work on the Excello label is well known. Lester used to be a touring sideman for Lightning Slim, among others. Slim Harpo (Lester's brother-in-law) is a distinguished influence, as is Eddie Boyd. Lester describes his "swamp blues" as a mix of blues, Cajun, zydeco, & country, emerging from Louisiana in the '50s. It's hard to explain, he says, "What we kept as down-home stuff, I just call it swamp blues for some reason. I don't know, I never could explain why." As a Texas transplant it has a familiar sounding feel to me...then & now. Covers include Lee Dorsey's "Ya Ya," Ernest Tubb's "Walkin' The Floor Over You," and an instrumental version of the Hank Williams tune "Jambalaya." Lester adds his own feel to these familiar songs as he did earlier on All Over You (which Tim Rizzo reviewed for BTD in '99). Backing up Lester on this release is a fine group of supporting musicians that cannot go unmentioned. These musicians make up a very capable rhythm section, which allows Lester to sit down and make some serious music. Like the old adage says about a good friend, the rhythm section is there when you need it. Speedy Sparks plays bass along with Sarah Brown (Brown also records on Antone). Sue Foley plays on "Sad City Blues"; Riley Osbourn is like a yearling kicking up its heels on piano. Gene Taylor takes a turn on the piano, as well (Taylor plays the keys for Kim Wilson & The Thunderbirds). Mike Buck plays drums, and both Derek O'Brien and Jimmie Vaughan make their contributions on the guitar. The not-so-lazy Lester plays harp, guitar, percussion, & sings on all tracks. Let us hope Lester sticks close to the studio and graces us with another bluesy, country, swampy, cajun, zydeco, rock-a-billy sounding piece o' music...'cause there ain't nothin' like an original Louisiana transplant…doin' what?…not bein' lazy that's for sure! Enjoy!
Clancy Dunigan

© 2003