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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


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Showing posts with label Barrelhouse Chuck. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barrelhouse Chuck. Show all posts

Thursday, February 23, 2023

Delmark Records artist: Mud Morganfield - Portrait - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Portrait, by Mud Morganfield and it's a super mix of blues, soul and R&B. Opening with Praise Him, Morganfield on bass and vocal leads the way with really rich vocals, backed by  Felicia Collins, Shantina Lowe and Demetrius Hall on backing vocals, Rick Kreher on guitar, Mike Wheeler on guitar,  Cameron Lewis on drums, Luca Chiellini on keys, and Bob Corritore on harmonica. Solid opener. Upbeat Chicago blues cruiser, Short Dressed Woman, really sounds like his pap with Corritore on excellent harmonica, Kreher on guitar, E.G. McDaniel on bass, Billy Flynn on guitar, Barrelhouse Chuck really hammering the piano, And Beedy Eyes Smith setting an excellent beat on drums. Terrific loping Chicago blues, Love To Flirt is an excellent track with Muddy Like vocals and strong harmonica by Harmonica Hinds. Chuck again on piano and organ, McDaniel on bass, Flynn on guitar, and Smith on drums. Chuck leads off Loco Motor with a great piano boogie rhythm with McDaniel pushing on bass and a real nice stretch by Corritore and solos by Flynn and Chuck. Excellent! Slow blues, Midnight Lover has terrific presence really showcasing Morganfield's vocals with excellent solos by Chuck, Flynn and Corritore. Possibly my favorite track on the release.  Wrapping the release is Sonny Boy Williamson's classic, Good Morning Little School Girl featuring solid vocals by Morganfield, Corritore on harmonica, Chuck on piano, Smith on drums, McDaniels on bass, and Flynn and Kreher on guitars. A track often played by his dad, this is a solid closer for one of Mud's best releases to date.


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Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Severn Records artist: Kim Wilson - Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1, from Kim Wilson and it's a heavy dose of old style Chicago blues. Opening with harp instrumental Bonus Boogie, Wilson is hitting on all cylinders, backed by Big Jon Atkinson on guitar, Bob Welsh on guitar, Troy Sandow on bass and Malachi Johnson on drums. Excellent! Sonny Boy Williamson's, Ninety-Nine features Wilson on lead vocal and harp and it's one of my favorites on the release. Pure Chicago style and Wilson's tight harp tone is the ticket here. Big Maceo's Worried Life Blues is up next with a solid slower pace highlighted by the keen piano work of Barrellhouse Chuck. John Lee Hooker's Same Old Blues has a swinging blues feel a la BB King or T Bone Walker. Billy Flynn steps in with some choice riffs on guitar, complimented by Larry Taylor on bass, Richard Innes on drums and Jonny Viau on horns. Very nice! Magic Sam's Look Whatcha Done has a great groove with slick guitar riffs by Atkinson and Welsh. Big Walter's Blue and Lonesome is another of my favorites on the release with Atkinson and Nathan James on guitar, some of the best vocals on the release and tight guitar attacks under the melody throughout. Wilson really belts it out on this one crushing it. Kim Wilson's own instrumental, Edgier is a great shuffle with harp lead. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Jimmy Rogers' You're The One. With solid vocals and harp by Wilson, Dodson on drums, and Atkinson on guitar, this is a super closer for a really solid release.



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Thursday, August 31, 2017

Kim Wilson Gets Back to Basics on "Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1" CD, Coming October 20 from Severn Records




Kim Wilson Gets Back to Basics on Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1 CD, Coming October 20 from Severn Records

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Legendary singer/harmonica master Kim Wilson has gone back to the basics and old school Chicago blues for his exciting new CD, Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1, coming October 20 from Severn Records. Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1 was produced by Kim Wilson, with most tracks  recorded and mixed by Nathan James at Sacred Cat Studios, Oceanside, California; except tracks 4 and 15 recorded by Big Jon at Big Tone Recording Studios, Hayward, California.

“I want to tell all of the real blues fans out there what a labor of love this project has been,” Wilson writes in the album’s liner notes. “I’ve been recording many, many tracks for a couple of years now and time has just flown by! A couple of the greatest musicians that ever lived, Richard Innes and Barrelhouse Chuck, have passed away during the process of making this CD. One of their dreams was to see this stuff come out.

“So here it is, the first of many to come. This kind of music is very easy and pleasurable for me to perform. I like to surround myself with musicians who like to ‘fly by the seat of their pants.’ People like Richard and Barrel, Billy Flynn, Big Jon Atkinson, Marty Dodson, Nathan James, Larry Taylor, Malachi Johnson and all of the other fantastic blues musicians who are on this CD. I desired to record songs that I have always wanted to do. However, I have to put my own twist on everything.”

The track list includes several Kim Wilson originals that fit like a hand-in-glove along with the deep blues songbook he delved into for the new disc, including tunes by Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Elmore James, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Rogers, Magic Sam and Jimmy Reed.    
A founding member of the legendary Fabulous Thunderbirds and a multiple Blues Music Award winner as a solo artist, Wilson salutes many of his Chicago blues roots influences – in particular his harmonica mentors such as Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson and especially James Cotton – on Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1. It’s music that is both timely and timeless.  

“I’m dedicating this CD to my big brother, James Cotton,” Wilson says. “He has always been a great inspiration and a dear friend. When I was a kid, having a great time with all of the masters of this music, I never dreamt I would be living in a world without them. Every time I open my mouth to sing or pick up my instrument to play I am doing it for them! There are hundreds of tracks in the can and still recording, and I really believe that this period of time is the beginning of my legacy. I could never have done it without my family of masters who invented this music and the musicians who are on this CD. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it!”

Kim Wilson and The Fabulous Thunderbirds are managed by Glen Parrish of GP Entertainment.



1. Bonus Boogie - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Big Jon Atkinson, Bob Welsh; Bass: Troy Sandow; Drums: Malachi Johnson
2. No Love in My Heart - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitar: Nathan James; Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck; Bass: Big Jon Atkinson; Drums: Richard Innes; horns: Jonny Viau
3. Ninety Nine - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Big Jon Atkinson, Nathan James; Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck; Drums: Richard Innes
4. Worried Life Blues - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Billy Flynn, Big Jon Atkinson; Bass: Kadar Roy; Drums: Marty Dodson
5. You Upset My Mind - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Big Jon Atkinson, Nathan James; Drums: Marty Dodson
6. Teenage Beat - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Billy Flynn, Big Jon Atkinson; Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck; Bass: Larry Taylor; Drums: Richard Innes
7. Same Old Blues - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitar: Billy Flynn; Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck; Bass: Larry Taylor; Drums: Richard Innes; horns: Jonny Viau
8. Searched All Over - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Billy Flynn, Big Jon Atkinson; Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck; Bass: Larry Taylor
9. From the Bottom - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Big Jon Atkinson, Nathan James; Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck; Bass: Larry Taylor; Drums: Richard Innes
10. Look Whatcha Done - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Bob Welsh, Big Jon Atkinson; Bass: Troy Sandow; Drums: Malachi Johnson
11. Blue and Lonesome - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Big Jon Atkinson, Nathan James; Drums: Marty Dodson
12. Sho Nuf I Do - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitar: Big Jon Atkinson; Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck; Bass: Nathan James; Drums: Richard Innes; horns: Jonny Viau
13. Learn to Treat Me Right – vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Billy Flynn, Big Jon Atkinson; Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck; Bass: Larry Taylor; Drums: Richard Innes
14. Edgier vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Big Jon Atkinson, Nathan James; Bass: Nathan James; Drums: Marty Dodson
15. Mean Old Frisco - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Big Jon Atkinson, Nathan James; Bass: Kadar Roy; Drums: Marty Dodson
16. You’re the One - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Big Jon Atkinson, Nathan James; Drums: Marty Dodson


Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Blind Pig Records artists: The Cash Box Kings - Holding Court - New Release review

I just received the newest release (April 28, 2015), Holding Court, by The Cash Box Kings and it's hot! Opening with Jump Jackson and Sonny Thompson's I Ain't Gonna Be No Monkey Man, Oscar Wilson leads the way on vocal and master harp man, Joe Nosek, really puts the Chicago into the track. Billy Flynn takes the guitar solo on this track and Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith holds the bottom on drums. On Download Blues, Wilson and Nosek lay down a cool shuffle track and Joel Paterson adds nice guitar and backing vocals. On Gotta Move Out To The Suburbs, CBK gets a great Chicago blues groove going with Mark Haines on drums and Beau Sample on bass. Patterson steps out again with a really stylistically sweet guitar solo for a little extra spice. On Cash Box Boogie Nosek takes front and center on both lead vocal and harp. Barrelhouse Chuck weaves in some cool piano riffs and Paterson again smokes the fretboard. Nosek closes the track with a nice long harp solo with tight support from Smith. Very cool! One of my favorite tracks on this release is a modern cover of the classic JL Hooker, Hobo Blues. Wilson does an excellent job on lead vocals on the track with Paterson on religiously traditional blues guitar riffs. Excellent! On swing track, Baby Without You, Nosek has the mic for lead vocal and harp, joined by upright bass by Sample and Haines on drums. Paterson and Flinn handle the guitar work nicely and Chuck rolls the keys keeping it tight. Very nice! On Latin influenced, Juju, Alex Hall adds a nice claves part giving the track a real spice and Nosek leading on vocal and harp is joined by Chuck, and Paterson making for a really sweet mix. Willie Love's Everybody's Fishin' is hot hot hot. Wilson does some of his best vocal work, Nosek blows the life out of the harp and Paterson really lights up the fretboard. Excellent! Jimmy Rogers' track, Out On The Road, takes the pace down low and Nosek really takes his harp for a traditional ride. Wilson's vocals are spot on and rich and Brad Ber really does a nice job on bass. Sugar Pea is light and springy with Nosek handling the lead vocals. Mark Haines with brushes on drums and Sample on upright bass, Paterson's tasty blues riffs really spring to life. I Miss You Miss Anne is a subtle shuffle with nice guitar chorded riffs. Nosek keeps the vocals simple and Paterson busts loose on guitar with a crisp solo over Barrelhouse chuck on organ and Flynn on rhythm. On I'm A real Lover, Wilson grabs the groove just right and accompanied primarily by Nosek on harp, Flynn on guitar, Sample on upright and Haines on drums, the CBK's keep is simple and effective. Wrapping the release is Quarter To Blue, a super tight slower blues instrumental with Nosek really laying it out there. Paterson and Flynn both contribute some really nice guitar riffs complimented by Sample and Haines. Excellent closer!

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! ”LIKE”

 

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Delta Groove Music artists: John Primer and Bob Corritore - Knockin' Around The Blues

I just received the much anticipated new release from Delta Groove, Knockin' Around The Blues from John Primer and Bob Corritore and it's great! Both Corritore and Primer are known for their traditional Chicago style and this is right on it...but it is a solid square hit. Opening with The Clock, you're in Chicago and the best band in town is up and making that statement isn't far off. These guys, both superstars themselves, have a full hand of musicians with them. Primer of course handles lead vocals and he's always terrific. Corritore can really be magic on the harp and his playing on this track is very strong. Barrelhouse Chuck adds terrific riffs throughout and Chris James and Primer both do nice jobs on guitar on this track. Blue and Lonesome opens with a great intro from Chuck and Primer and Corritore exchange call and response. This is slow dirty blues like you love it. One of the comments that I've had of some recordings of Corritore in the past have been that he gets lost in the mix. Not on this recording! Corritore is well highlighted and sounding great. James and Primer are both highlighted on guitar on this track as well and there is a blood curdling solo on this track that is not to be missed. When I Get Lonely is an uptempo blues track and Brian Fahey is light in the front on drums. Primer has a great voice and Corritore takes a real nice solo early in the track complimenting his singing. Great harp tone! A smokin' Chicago loper, Cairo Blues, is up next and Billy Flynn (guitar), Bob Stroger (bass) and Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith join the mix. Corritore really gets the harp screamin on this track and Chuck adds really nice punctuation throughout. Leanin' Tree opens with some smokin guitar riffs but them paring back to highlight to allow Primer to lead the way on vocal. One of my favorite tracks on the release, James, Primer and Corritore all take nice solos on this track. Harmonica Joyride is an absolute blast! Corritore takes a step to the front and demonstrates clearly why he's regarded as on of the top harp men in the business today. (Yeah stilladog...this track's for you pal). Little Boy Blue, of course the great track by Robert Jr. Lockwood is a nice slow in the pocket track. Corritore again blowin exceptional tone on this track. Chuck of course is always spot on and this track is no exception. Opening with a real slick slide intro, Dixon's Just Like I Treat You is bright and full of energy featuring Patrick Rynn on bass and Brian Fahey on drums. Again the mastery of Corritore is well documented on this track. Chuck takes a cool piano solo on this track opening for Primer on slide. Saw Primer a short while back at the rhythm Room and his second set blew the doors off the place. This is a guy who can really do it all in his genre. Man Or Mouse gets right into the groove. Billy Flynn takes a nice solo on this track and Chuck keeps the ivories hot. Finishing up with Going Back Home, an old Lightning Hopkins track, the band is tight and lays down the last of 10 solid performances. Corritore takes the first of the solos on this track is it's really apparent how deeply he feels about getting just the right tome. Excellent. Chuck belly's up with a really clean solo but James and Primer really step it up on this track and knock it out of the park. This is a great contemporary recording of traditional Chicago blues played by a group of exceptional blues musicians. This is one not to be missed.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Blind Pig artists: The Cash Box Kings - Black Toppin' - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Black Toppin' from The Cash Box Kings and it's super! Opening with Blues Falling Down On Me, Joe Nosek takes the lead on vocals and is chased by Joel Paterson with some cool slide work over the top of the straightforward drumming of Mark Haines. Black Toppin', the title track, Nosek revs up the heat talking the lyrics over constant harp reinforcement. Oscar's Jump is a hot number with Oscar Wilson on vocal and really hot guitar riffs from Paterson and cool harp work from Nosek. Down and dirty it goes for Money, Marbles and Chalk,where Wilson continues on vocals. Barrelhouse Chuck adds some trademark piano work on this track and Nosek gets some of his most authentic vintage tones on harp. Billy Flynn steps up to lead guitar on this track as well and does a really nice job. On Willie Dixon's Too Late, the Kings lay down a cool rendering of this classic track. Covering both lead vocals and harp, Nosek really brings it on this track. Wilson takes the lead on vocals again for Walkin' Blues which has a slight update in sound but retains a fat part of tradition with simple unpretentious slide work from Paterson. Probably my favorite track on the set. I Don't Wanna Fight takes a rockin stance with Nosek on vocal. Barrelhouse Chuck takes a cool key interlude and Paterson has a short rockin guitar solo keeping the punches coming. Tom Cat Blues is a great track that smells like Mississippi Mud. Featuring Wilson on lead vocal with simple acoustic (and electric) guitar work from Paterson, this is another really authentic track and one that really stands tall. Staying with simplicity, Hot Biscuit Baby is a primitive style Chicago blues really featuring Wilson on vocal and Nosek on harp with minimal backing. Very cool. Gimme Some Of That is a real toe tapper featuring Nosek on vocal and harp and light instrumentation. Kenny Beedy Eyes Smith keeps a tight rhythm with rim shots and Paterson plays jazz rhythm backing on guitar cutting loose for some hot riffs. His slide style is really quite interesting. Wrapping the release is Run Run Run, based on a boogie rhythm. This track, again featuring Nosek on vocal gives Paterson and Nosek the opportunity to play some cool blues boogie riffs over what is primarily an instrumental track. Another favorite. This is a cool release and one that I believe will win more fans for the already popular Cash Box Kings.   

 If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Delmark artist: Al Miller - In Between Time - New Release Review

I just received and have been listening to the newest release, In Between Time, by Al Miller. Due to some family issues I found my self in sunny Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania last week and had the pleasure to listen to this release numerous time while on the road. While driving, I rarely have time to look at the liner notes but now that I am writing my review, some of my passing thoughts actually make sense. I'll begin by saying, I kept thinking that I was listening to a Mike Bloomfield or early Paul Butterfield album. In reading the press release, I note that Miller was a part of the '60's Butterfield scene and played often with Bloomfield. This does not sound at all like a clone. It sounds like the real deal. The release opens with McCracklin/Taub track, Rockin' All Day. A rockin' boogie, this starts the entire release with a great groove with Billy Flynn (guitar), Willie Big Eyes Smith (drums), Barrelhouse Chuck (piano), and of course Miller on vocal and harp. BB King's Need You So Bad has a nice foamy lope to it. John Primer leads the way on this track playing guitar and singing. Dave Specter plays some cool guitar riffs on this track joined by Mike Schlick on drums and Harlan Terson on bass. Definitely a hot track! Johnny Young's My Baby Walked Out features some of Millers best vocals and harp and Chuck really does a great job on the 88's on this track. Original track Old Friends has a Latin beat featuring Kenny Smith on drums, Ken Saydak on piano and hot Albert King like riffs by Dave Specter. Miller pulls out the stops on this track blowing some great harp riffs. In Between Time, another original by Miller, shows Miller with a guitar in hand playing some cool primitive slide work over a very stripped down track. Another Johnny Young track, I Got It, is a smokin' hot harmonica blowout. Pushed by Flynn, Smith and Saydak this is a great track. Willie Dixon's Dead Presidents finds Primer again at the helm with vocal and guitar. Accompanied by Mike Schlick on drums and Harlan Terson on bass Miller plays cool harp riffs and Barry Winograd and John Brumbach add a nice sax solo. Another Miller original, A Better Day,features nice guitar work by Flynn and Specter. One of the most enjoyable traditional tracks on the recording, Miller really gets into his vocal strength. On another Johnny Young track, Tighten Up On It, I can smell the beer and cigarettes. This is the Chicago blues just the way it was meant to be played. Never hear this on contemporary records anymore. Barrelhouse Chuck lays down the riffs and the mix is perfect.Flynn is also guilty of some superb riffage on this track with Big Eyes keeping the bottom tight. Elmore James' 1839 Blues features Primer again on vocals and he does a superb job. Ken Saydak shows why his piano work is in high demand and the tone from Millers harp is spot on. Primer takes a nice guitar solo on this track and it is solid and enticing. Billy Flynn's Billy's Boogie is a real rocker of course featuring some outstanding guitar work from Flynn ... not to be missed. Miller plays a hot solo on harp on this track as does Saydak and Mike Schlick keeps it all together. Excellent track! Percy Mayfield track Bachelor Blues really conjures up the feeling of the old Bloomfield days for me. Again Miller shows his best on vocals and harp on this track. Barrelhouse Chuck and Big Eyes are right on the spot and the track creates the feel of the real deal... it is! Eddie Taylor's If You Don't Want Me Baby fits perfectly into this set with a bit of a HD Taylor beat. It's a great pickup track before the great track by Miller, Lake Michigan Waters. Billy Flynn plays some flaming hot work on this track with what I'd even say sound reminiscent of old Bloomfield riffs. Along with the great playing of Miller and Saydak this track may be one of the most intense on the recording. Specter and Primer step out a little on guitar on Lawhorn Special. Miller knocks down some cool riffs as well but it's the guitars that take this cake. Al Miller original Blizzard wraps up this really coherent authentic Chicago blues release. Flynn and Primer playing some stinging guitar riffs over heavy reverb riffs on this track and kenny Smith is really particularly crisp with his beat on this track. This may be one of the best modern "Chicago" blues albums to come out in a long time.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! ”LIKE”

I apologize that the band featured is not the band on the recording, but Al Does play harp here so I'll post a new one when I can find it. Enjoy!



Monday, January 7, 2013

John Primer with the Rhythm Room All-Stars and special guest Barrelhouse Chuck at the Rhythm

The Rhythm Room Presents
JOHN PRIMER
& The Rhythm Room All-Stars
with special guest Barrelhouse Chuck
Friday January 11th, Saturday January 12th 2013
If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Delmark artist: Willie Buck - Cell Phone Man- New Release Reviews

I just received the newest release, Cell Phone Man, by Willie Buck. This release sounds really fresh but it fits like an old glove. This new release is a mixture of new tracks written by Buck and some old classics written by Muddy Waters among others. The release opens with Doin' Good And Bad At The Same Time, a contemporary Chicago style blues track. Buck is backed by Rockin' Johnny Burgin (lead guitar), Rick Kreher (rhythm guitar), John Sefner (bass), Steve Bass (drums), Barrelhouse Chuck (piano) and harp men Bharath Rajakumar and Martin Lang. Darling I Miss You So, the classic Ted Taylor track is right on the spot with crisp riffs by Burgin. Muddy Waters' Strange Woman has a beautifully slow pace which provides plenty of space for Bucks' gritty blues voice, Rajakumar's soulful harp work and tasty guitar tweaks from Burgin. Each featured artist takes a turn showing their stuff, you find yourself just closing your eyes and letting it in. Excellent! Cell Phone Man, another traditional Morganfield Chicago style track sound as if it could have been performed by Waters himself. The authentic feel of the execution is fresh. Another Waters song, Two Trains Running is given a very stripped down,just vocal and acoustic guitar, traditional run and is also executed very well. It has the life of original delta blues. Goin' Down Main Street is a romping blues and features Barrelhouse Chuck on piano and Rajakumar again on harp. It's also great to hear tight little guitar riffs from Burgin on this track. Morganfield's Streamline Woman, gets a very solid cover again sounding very fresh and keeping you wanting more. I love the slide sound on this track. This band just has the sound of having played in the best blues club in Chicago for a long time. Tried To Work Something Out With You is a real sweet track following suit with the balance of the recording but in this case featuring Lang on harp. I Want To Talk To My Baby is another standout on the release again with a very stripped down feel. The track is electrified but kept at a very minimal really highlighting the blues men at their best. Blow Wind Blow closes the release with a smooth rendition of one of Muddy's most popular tracks. This release has a great delivery and is a pleasure to kick back and listen to. There are times throughout this 17 track release that I reach for my guitar because it sucks you in. Great job!

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Too Late - Barrelhouse Chuck


Barrelhouse Chuck is the only Chicago blues pianist to have studied under Sunnyland Slim, Pinetop Perkins, Blind John Davis, Detroit Junior and Little Brother Montgomery. Barrelhouse Chuck draws on this distinguished lineage to create a blues, boogie-woogie and barrelhouse piano style that places him at the forefront of this celebrated tradition.

Born in Ohio (Columbus, OH - July 10, 1958) where he first learned to play the drums at the age of 6, Barrelhouse Chuck, whose real name is Charles Goering, later switched to the piano and was living Gainesville Fla when he heard his first Muddy Waters record with Otis Spann on piano. This was a major turning point in Chuck's life.

After that Chuck started buying the records of every blues artist he could find. A quick study on the keyboards, it wasn't long before Chuck had formed his own band and began opening for Willie Dixon, B.B. King, and Muddy Waters and Chuck was playing with the great Bo Diddley. It was also during this time (the middle 70's) that Chuck and some of his friends began following Muddy Waters around to get some first hand exposure to both Muddy and his then current piano player, Pinetop Perkins.

'We used to follow Muddy all around down South. We would wait in parking lots for the Van with Illinois plates to roll up. Pinetop Perkins & Willie Smith would recognize me and get me into their concerts. Then invited me to be back stage with Muddy and the band. Afterward, I'd go out to breakfast with them. I was just in awe.'

Then realizing he needed to immerse himself in blues piano he deciding to go directly to the source. In 1979 he drove 24 hours straight from Florida with Right-hand Frank to Chicago and went directly to B.L.U.E.S on Halsted specifically to see Sunnyland Slim. 'I took a gamble and came to Chicago, and the first thing I did when I arrived was to go to B.L.U.E.S on Halsted. I walked in the door and there was Sunnyland Slim. I went right up to him and said, 'I've just driven 24 hours straight to see you.''

Chuck spent the next 16 years studying with the living legend, who Chuck called 'the great-granddaddy of all the blues piano players.' Through Sunnyland he met all the great blues musicians in Chicago, and often ended up playing with and hanging out with them. Piano greats Blind John Davis, Big Moose Walker, Detroit Junior and Erwin Helfer were also playing blues piano in Chicago. Chuck spent years listening, learning and became friends.

People like S.P. Leary, Smokey Smothers, Erwin Helfer and Little Brother Montgomery took Chuck under their wings, invited him into their homes and made him feel a part of their families.

Chuck formed a special bond with piano legend Little Brother Montgomery with whom he honed his piano stylings during a long internship. Chuck often lived with Little Brother spending many hours with him and Sunnyland Slim playing piano and hanging out. Other great piano players like Tollie & Joe Montgomery, Jay McShann and Lafayette Leake would come by to visit L.B. and play piano. Chuck was instrumental in arranging honorariums, driving him to jobs (and to the hospital when his health began failing) and helping him out in every way he could. Little Brother returned this favor by taking Chuck under his wing and giving him a musical education no other man has ever received. When Brother passed away Chuck lost a mentor and a true friend, but Chuck keeps his music alive when ever he plays. "Little Brother was like a grandfather to me".

The last 30 years Chuck developed his immense mastery of blues piano and went on to perform or record with most of the notable Chicago blues musicians-people like Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Kim Wilson, Hubert Sumlin, Otis Rush, Louis Myers, Buddy Guy, Big Smokey Smothers among many others. His recording credits reads like a 'who's who' of modern day Chicago blues. [CLICK HERE for Chuck's recording session & record label credits. CLICK HERE for a list of musicians Barrelhouse Chuck has played with!]

Barrelhouse Chuck is a recording artist for The Sirens Records. He participates on the classic recording '8 Hands on 88 Keys - Chicago Blues Piano Masters Detroit Jr., Pinetop Perkins, and Erwin Helfer. He has also recorded a solo disc entitled 'Prescription for the Blues' and a highly acclaimed band disc 'Got My Eyes On You' with Kim Wilson, Calvin 'Fuzz' Jones, Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith, Eddie Taylor Jr. Joel Foy.

In Feb.2008 Barrelhouse Chuck was asked by Kim Wilson, lead singer and harmonica player for the Fabulous Thunderbirds, to participate with Kim and recorded the soundtrack for Sony BMG's much anticipated new film 'Cadillac Records.' The movie tells the story of Chess Records and includes many of the gifted musicians who started there. Beyonce Knowles is executive producer. Beyonce will also portray famed blues singer Etta James. Adrian Brody plays historic Chess Records founder Leonard Chess; Jeff Wright is cast as blues great Muddy Waters; and Cedric the Entertainer plays legendary songwriter Willie Dixon. Other musicians in the session include Steve Jordan on drum, basssist Larry Taylor (Canned Heat), and guitarists Eddie Taylor, Jr., Billy Flynn and the legenday Hubert Sumlin. Previous to recording for this amazing new film, Kim Wilson and Eddie Taylor appeared on Barrelhouse Chuck's critically acclaimed recording 'Got My Eyes On You', released by The Sirens Records in 2006.

During the past Three decades Chuck has played all over the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America and tours Europe regularly. He has also appeared more than a dozen times at the Chicago Blues Festival. There are only a few of those great piano players left notes Barrelhouse Chuck. Even though most of his teachers have passed on, Barrelhouse Chuck has become one of the bearers of the flame, and keeps both their spirit and music alive, passing it along where ever he plays.
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