CD Review
Louisiana Red
Driftin'
(Earwig Records CD 4947)
by Dick Houff
Review date: September 2001
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1999 KBA Award Winner
Achievement for Blues on the Internet
Presented by the Blues Foundation
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Iverson Minter (aka Louisiana Red) strikes again with this-his second
outing on Earwig Records! His first, "Millennium Blues," was one of my
top picks in 1999. The album was critically acclaimed, and it was
nominated for four W.C. Handy Awards including Traditional Blues Male
Artist of the Year, Blues Album of the Year, and Blues Song of the Year
for his compassionate, and heartrending "Orphanage Home Blues." On this
equally powerful follow-up; Red is on top of his game with a fine mix of
raw electric, and unplugged blues that will make you take notice-this is
the real thing. On Red's "Millennium" recording, he enjoyed the band
lineup so well that he ended up touring with them. On Driftin', you'll
find all of them back in the studio working their magic: Allen Batts on
piano, Brian Bisesi on rhythm and lead guitar, Willie Kent on bass (a
damn fine bass man-fits into the groove, nice and slick), Willie "Big
Eyes" Smith on harmonica (everyone knows Willie!), and of course, Red on
solos. Earwig did an outstanding job of putting this package together
with fifteen generous tracks; all original compositions by Red. The
standouts far exceed what you'd normally expect on an album. Taking it
from the top with a hypnotically charged "Driftin'" with the band,
followed by a haunting solo (my top pick in the solo department)
slide-steel on steel-think goosebumps with a case of the "crawl!" Track
#4, a booty jump, and again those haunted lyrics. This is the sound I
was weaned on and Red takes it to new heights. Each and every song is
an autobiographical glimpse into a truly great man. This is the 5 star
salute from yours truly!
www.earwigmusic.com
This review is copyright © 2001 by Dick Houff, 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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