I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Hard Times, from John Primer and it's a fat slice of Chicago blues. Opening with contemporary blues rocker, You Got What I Want, John Primer on lead vocal and guitar set up another solid blues performance with the Real Deal Blues Band. Steve Bell on harmonica lays down some real nice harmonica riffs, backed by Lenny Media on drums and David Forte on bass. Title track, Hard Times, has a cool driving blues feel with Primer on slide and vocal and featuring Johnny Iguana on piano. With an aggressive bass line by Forte on I Won't Sweat It, Primer sings the blues at half tempo over a double time tempo. A cool solo by Bell on harmonica and a nice guitar solo of his own gives this track traction. One of my favorite tracks on the release is soulful, Tough Times featuring Primer's daughter on her vocal debut. Primer lays in some real nicely phrased guitar lead on this one diving it another dimension. All Alone is a strong Chicago blues with firm footings and some of Primer's vocals on the release. His Elmo James' influenced slide playing always gets my attention and there's plenty here. Very nice. Another real tasty track is You Mean So Much To Me with it's Chicago lope and featuring Primer upfront on guitar and vocal and with some real tasty piano work by Iguana. Hot Meal is a nice, slow blues with great vocal work by Primer adorned and complimented by Bell's harmonica. This track has just the right pace and Primer's slide work again is featured and cool. Wrapping the release is shuffle track, Whiskey, with it's "party" lyrics. With a great tempo and crowd appeal, this is likely the select track on the release and a great closer.
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