From the ain’t nothin’ more authentic dirge of Luther "Guitar Jr."
Johnson’s "So Mean to Me" to the barrelhouse cluckin’ of Marty Grebb’s
"Hen House," this blatant copy of Joel Dorn’s "Jazz for…" series combines
true tales of loss with rather peppy pleas for love, wealth and the other
anti-ingredients of the blues. In true blues, everything gets lost, prompting
Junior Wells to ask the somewhat musical question "Why Are People Like
That" (a bluesy companion to Dylan’s "Rainy Day Women"). While John
Primer’s "Brutal Hearted Woman" might be the culprit, Son Seals tells us
that it can be the love itself that has the breakdown. In those cases where
the problem is not your woman (which is actually the desired aim in Sugar
ray Norcia’s blues-hearted "Life Will Be Better"), another common culprit
is money (which is the titular theme of Debbie Davies’s contribution). And
in today’s world, In the modern blues age, that can also mean a case of
"Credit Card Blues," which Terry Evans diagnoses with insightful and
cautionary humor.
In the worst case scenario, love and money can combine for even
more tragic results, as in Sam Lay’s "Somebody’s Gotta Do It." Though
you may not want to admit it, there are times when the loss is your own
darn fault, as in Kenny Neal’s Cocker-esque "Killed the Goose That Laid
the Golden Egg." Other times, the loss is not intentional, but still ends up
being your fault, as in Lady Bianca’s Motown-worthy heart-burner "How Do
I Tell My Little Sister?" No matter what causes the pain, sometimes the
only answer seems to be diving into a sea of drink, as Willie Dixon
prepares to do in "If the Sea Was Whiskey." Other times, there ain’t nothin’
to do but sing the blues. Though the repertoire and cast of characters
onthis label sampler is impressive, nobody puts it together better than
Maria Muldaur, whose aching "Misery and the Blues" sums it all up in
more than name.
Track listing: 1. Why Are People Like That? - Junior Wells
2. Credit Card Blues - Terry Evans
3. Misery and the Blues - Maria Muldaur
4. Life Will Be Better - Charlie Musselwhite
5. So Mean to Me - Luther "Guitar Jr" Johnson
6. Money - Debbie Davies
7. Love Had a Breakdown - Son Seals
8. Killed the Goose That Laid the Golden Egg - Kenny Neal
9. How Do I Tell My Little Sister? - Lady Bianca
10. Somebody Gotta Do It - Sam Lay
11. If the Sea Was Whiskey
12. Brutal Hearted Woman - John Primer
13. Hen House - Marty Grebb
Style: Blues
Published: January 22, 2003
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From the ain’t nothin’ more authentic dirge of Luther "Guitar Jr."
Johnson’s "So Mean to Me" to the barrelhouse cluckin’ of Marty Grebb’s
"Hen House," this blatant copy of Joel Dorn’s "Jazz for…" series combines
true tales of loss with rather peppy pleas for love, wealth and the other
anti-ingredients of the blues. In true blues, everything gets lost, prompting
Junior Wells to ask the somewhat musical question "Why Are People Like
That" (a bluesy companion to Dylan’s "Rainy Day Women"). While John
Primer’s "Brutal Hearted Woman" might be the culprit, Son Seals tells us
that it can be the love itself that has the breakdown. In those cases where
the problem is not your woman (which is actually the desired aim in Sugar
ray Norcia’s blues-hearted "Life Will Be Better"), another common culprit
is money (which is the titular theme of Debbie Davies’s contribution). And
in today’s world, In the modern blues age, that can also mean a case of
"Credit Card Blues," which Terry Evans diagnoses with insightful and
cautionary humor.
