CD Review
Craig Horton
In My Spirit
(Bad Daddy Records, 2001 -659428-0012-21)
by Tim Holek
Review date: November 2001
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1999 KBA Award Winner
Achievement for Blues on the Internet
Presented by the Blues Foundation
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The debut offering from one of the Bay Area's best kept secrets, singer/songwriter/guitarist Craig Horton, begs you to ask, "where has he been?" Even the CD's publicist, a 16 year San Francisco resident, had not heard of Horton until this album was released. Things began in Conway, Arkansas when Horton's grandmother introduced him to the guitar as a child. In the late 50's, Craig played guitar in the legendary Little Walter's Band and was a big part of the Chicago's music scene where he performed with many blues greats. He now has a multifaceted style that reflects those early years spent playing a diverse range of music. His accomplishments are critically acclaimed, earning him recognition by the Bay Area Blues Society for his contribution to West Coast Blues. Inspired by such icons as Johnny Ace, Ray Charles, Willie Dixon and B.B. King, there is plenty of grace to be heard in the smooth, jazz fretwork of Craig Horton.
The 45 minute, 12 track disc commences with the big, fat sound of "Chest Pain Blues" with its pumping horns, driving rhythm, intense vocals and Handy Award worthy guitar playing. The jazzy side of the blues is exposed on the T-bone Walker influenced "3 Days And 3 Nights". Here, Bob Welsh's keyboards lay a solid foundation. He goes on to play incredible piano throughout the CD which at times even outshines Horton's guitar. Chris Whynaught's tenor sax and Jim Pugh's organ will leave you "Spellbound". "Is It True" is a slow blues song of yesteryear with plenty of brass including sax, trumpet and trombone. Yet the focus of the song is purely on Horton's expressive vocals.
A couple of songs are reprised from the 1960s days with Bill Warren and Jump Jackson. "Ridin' In My Jaguar" is a classic R&B song combined with the early sound of rock and roll where the raw sound of the guitar is utterly amazing. You will be perplexed as to how this sound of vinyl could have been recorded in 2001. Perhaps this brilliant quality can be attributed to the music being recorded on 1" analog 16 track tape. Whatever the trick was, producer Rusty Zinn will surely be the envy of all the big record labels who have failed to capture such magic. The instrumental, "Midnight Shuffle" is interspersed with mini interview clips which reveal the beginnings of Craig's four-decade career.
For CDs, booking and information, write to: Bad Daddy Records, 4590 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 500, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Tel: (949) 883-9905 E-mail: mccullough@baddaddy.com Website: www.baddaddy.com
This review is copyright © 2001 by Tim Holek, 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.
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