CD Reviews-March 2002

Charlie Musselwhite: One Night In America - Telarc
Blues legend and harmonica guru Charlie Musselwhite has just released his new CD titled One Night in America. Being a long-time fan of Mr. Musselwhite I was at first a little surprised at the musical style of this album, because of the lack of what I consider straight-ahead blues. But upon scrutinizing the selections on this album it became clear to me that Charlie was giving a lesson in southern music, including blues, and the influences that made Musselwhite the musical icon that he is.

Charlie Musselwhite was born in Kosciusko, MS and spent his formative years in Memphis where he learned and refined his chops on both harp and guitar before taking the all-too-familiar exodus from the South to Chicago. This is Charlie's first album on the great blues label Telarc, and showcases his musical influences from these early days in Memphis. In those early days Charlie struck up friendships with old time bluesman Furry Lewis and his early influence Will Shade of the Memphis jug band, but he was also influenced by other popular forms of roots music including gospel and hillbilly music (now called country western), Memphis was also the home of the already famous Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. As Charlie explains, "Some people might think it's an unusual song list for me...but what I have been trying to get across to people is that blues is a feeling and not confined to a theoretical musical structure." Musselwhite does a masterful job of conveying that feeling throughout this bold album of, as the title implies, American music.

Recruited for One Night in America is a terrific throng of artists to help paint a set of musical pictures from the mind of a young Charlie Musselwhite. With the help of the versatile guitar of former Saturday Night Live Band leader G. E. Smith; a super solid rhythm section with some very tasty, always bluesy solo rides by Charlie's longtime buddy, guitarist Robben Ford; along with vocalists Christine Ohlman and Kelly Willis, who both offer a perfect balance to Musselwhite's smooth baritone vocals; and with Musselwhite's incredible harmonica painting bold strokes of blues into every selection, the painting is complete. Musselwhite & Co. stride effortlessly between musical styles, from the bluesy "Blues Overtook Me" and Jimmy Reed's blues classic "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby" to the country duet with Ms. Willis "In a Town Like This," or Johnny Cash's country classic "Big River." Charlie also addresses his battle with sobriety in the autobiographical "In Your Darkest Hour." The instrumental "I'll Meet You Over There" reminds us why Charlie has so many Handy Awards for Best Harmonica, while the dark and moody "Rank Strangers to Me" shows yet another side of a musical treasure. This crossover album will please country fans, roots fans and of course, Charlie Musselwhite fans.
-Phil Chesnut

Kelly Joe Phelps: Beggar's Oil (EP) - Ryko
After Kelly Joe Phelps's 4th release Sky Like a Broken Clock-his 3rd for Rykodisc-it became apparent that there were songs recorded during the many sessions that were still of value though they did not correspond well with the album's essence. The result of these extra tracks is the limited edition companion EP, Beggar's Oil.

Kelly Joe Phelps plays folk music with a pinch of country gospel and bare bones blues. While his songwriting has moved beyond blues, he continues to bring together the sounds of Mississippi Fred McDowell, Dock Boggs, and John Coltrane, while portraying the emotional spirit of Leadbelly. The title track (which was originally released on Sky… and is featured twice on this collection) features Phelps's signature finger pickin', slide guitar, and empathetic lyrics. This relaxed feeling continues throughout on such tracks as "Tommy" (band arrangement) and "Don Quixote's Windmill."

Kelly Joe Phelps assembled a great group of a talent for Sky Like a Broken Clock including Larry Taylor, from Tom Waits' band, to play string bass and Billy Conway, from Morphine, to handle percussion. The five previously unreleased songs and versions of songs already released, which make up Beggar's Oil, would be a welcome addition to anyone who has been affected by the genius of this young yet worldly singer/songwriter.
-Tony Engelhart