Big Joe Maher is a bandleader from the Washington D.C. area whose style
harkens back to a time when Count Basie and Louis Jordan's bands ruled
the land and everything swung. All Night Long is Big Joe's second
release on the Severn label and like its predecessor it is an engaging
mix of blues, swing and rock & roll.
The disc starts off with the title tune which calls to mind Wynonnie
Harris and Roy Milton, two of Big Joe's primary influences. The tune
also showcases the white hot West Coast guitar stylings of Ivan
Appelrouth who provides outstanding guitar work throughout the entire
disc. "Down In Louisiana" is as it's title suggests a Cajun flavored
tune while "Move It or Lose It" has it's roots in the Texas blues sound
of T-Bone Walker. Other styles covered on the disc range from the 50's
doo wop of "My Baby's Tops" to the southern gospel and soul influenced
"The Church of Your Love" and "You Were Always There." Another
highlight is a cover of Ike Turner's "One More Time" which features
Applerouth doing a spot on impression of Ike's patented whammy bar
guitar technique.
All Night Long is a strong album from start to finish, featuring a crack
band, a strong vocalist and excellent choice of material. You should
check this recording out as well as the rest of the Severn catalog which
is uniformly excellent. www.severnrecords.com
This review is copyright © 2001 by Barry Gober, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.