Midnite Blues Party - Classic Blues, Soul, Rockers and R&B, is a delectable assortment of the finest blues, R&B, soul and all-out rockers from the early days of rock 'n roll, blues and soul. There are 27 specially selected tracks here from the vast and extremely fine collection of Toronto blues collector, Eddy Brake, known to many as the incomparable Eddy B. Eddy's not just a record collector - he's a music historian with an eye for the finest of the rarest records available to collect, and most of all to play and enjoy. That's what this CD is all about … playin' 'n enjoyin'!
A local music collector/icon, Eddy B has amassed one of the finest music collections in the world, and has shared some of his finest tracks here, in Midnite Blues Party Volume One. Let's see what he's got for us. First up is a slow drawn-out blues tune entitled "I'm a Loser", courtesy of Blue Bull. This tune's no loser in any way! It laments, but in a groove that can't be beat. Nite Riders' "I've Been Thinkin' Pt. 1", is a soulful, R&B creation, with stimulating vocals. This fine mixture is combined with energetic drumming and tingling Hammond B3 riffs.
Birmingham Junior's "You're Too Bad", is some really rousing upbeat blues, that gets in the groove with awesome vocals, and keeps it that way with some amazing harp playing. There's ample support here from some sweet guitar licks and rousing drumming. Bobby Long's energetic vocals scream out "Don't Leave Me Baby". He's backed up by some wild piano playing, accompanied by some fantastic bass and guitar riffs. Long seemingly screams his message out from torn heartstrings -- justifiably so. His rhythm section is sympathetic to his 'plight'. Randy Hobbs laments the wait for his girl, as "time goes by", in "Slowly But Surely". The sorrowful harp accompaniment here speaks volumes of Hobbs' loneliness.
Little Grier's upbeat "But You" tells us "nobody else can do but you", in Grier's right-from-the-heart vocals, accompanied by some screaming guitar riffs for affirmation. Bob Reed's "I'm Leaving You" is an upbeat blues tune in the classic sense. Rousing to say the least. Reed's vocals are incredible, and tell it like it is, to "the meanest woman I've ever seen." The inventive guitar licks in this tune, really move along nicely, and know just when to give Reed ample exposure for his sorrowful vocals. Junior Gordon's "Call the Doctor" is an upbeat, soulful rocker, that really puts the rhythm in the blues. A great sing-a-long tune too -- complete with rousing sax soloing and drumming, adding zest to this winning combination.
Al Garris' "That's All", is as heavy-duty a party tune as you can get - a quintessential of it's type. Then it slows right down, slow 'n downright dirty, with Don Hollinger's rough, raw and crude "I Had a Nightmare". Classic blues no finer. Could have been wailin' right outta the hole of a long-ago slave ship. Some of the finest slow blues around. Not one to leave his listening audience in that fine blues melancholy for long, Eddy B rocks it up fine with Sonny Harper's rousing "Lonely Stranger". The kinda tune wakes the 'dead', with a spirited rhythm section, smooth flowing vocals, classic harp riffs, and an infectious beat - too bad it has to end. (You have the option of leaving this one on repeat, indefinitely.) But then you'd miss some very fine rockin' blues like Little Daddy Walton's "Spend My Money". Incredible vocals, harp and rhythm section to match; this tune would get any dance floor hummin', and help keep it that way all night long. (After all, this is a 'dance party'.)
Jim Sweeney's "The Buzzard and the Owl", is a very fine rockabilly, full of energy. Sweeney's vocals are all you could ask for in storytelling hillbilly rock, that grooves all the way through this swingin' tune. Clarence Nelson's "You Make Me Feel So Good", is a medium tempo rockin' blues ditty that's perfect for dance floor fun. The horns in the background, add substance to Nelson's vocals and solid rhythm section. "Messin' With the Kid", is a rare version by Baby Huey. It really rocks it up, and is a very enjoyable diversion from the known renditions of this well-known tune. Very cool guitar licks and bass playing, along with a fine sax solo and excellent vocals help set this version apart from the others. A very groovy, 'R&B-meets-the-blues', messin' jam!
Jay Lewis offers up some slow, soulful blues with "Darling Let Me Know". Lewis has been hurt by his woman and demonstrates it effectively, in every nuance of his vocals, in this very fine and rare tune. So real it's uncanny! Luther Thomas changes the mood considerably with his upbeat R&B "Who Slipped Out (When I Walked In)". This one moves along well. More infectious beat here. If that's not enough to cure the blues in you, Rollie McGill gets the joint jumpin' with some heavy duty vocals in "People Are Talking Pt. 1". Classic upbeat blues, this tune says it all with wild sax and guitar riffs playing off one another; while McGill sings his blues message with fervor.
I wonder if McGill knows Dorothy Berry who's telling everyone "You're Driving Me Crazy". Her vocals are rousing and arousing all at the same time - with a rhythm section that supports her nicely. The pace changes again, some medium tempo down-home soulful blues, courtesy of Percy Welsh's "Throw This Poor Dog a Bone". Welsh's universal lament is vividly depicted, in this piece about 'not getting' 'nuff'. Buddy Lamp's "Have Mercy Baby", is the classic 'makin' up' tune. The rousing rhythm section backing up Lamp's request for "mercy baby", helps set the mood for reconciliation, with an irresistible 'dance party' thrown in for good measure.
Some slow sorrowful blues next, courtesy of Thomas East's rare "You're What's Happening". East's girl "looks good to me .. you're my cup of tea" - so does this tune! Jesse Gee's soulful, upbeat R&B rendition of "Don't Mess With My Money", has a classic theme and a classic beat to match. Gee tells it like it is -- "Don't mess with my money, or you're messin' with me". Nice horns in the background, echoing Gee's sentiments perfectly. "Whoop It On Me" is an energetic, soulful ditty courtesy of Good Time Charlie. Look out Mr. Brown, Charlie's "cold sweat" is hankerin' to beat the pants off the "Godfather of Soul", in this very spirited rendition that needs no apologies for being great! Sly but 'slyer' … with lots of soul. Willie Jones' "Where's My Money", asks the proverbial question, with urgency in Jones' vocals, added to with scorching sax soloing.
Little Joe Hinton "understands her heart", in "Let's Start A Romance". Hinton's vocals open his heart to the girl he loves, in this very true-to-life tune. What else to end this very fine CD with, but with some incredibly rousing guitar playing from Roy Lee Johnson, in "Two Doors Down". Scorching guitar licks and rousing sax soloing are goin' nuts here, with some solid drumming, and twangy guitar thrown in for good measure. This is a CD I feel you'll want to play again and again, whenever you want to enjoy some very fine and rare tunes. All these rarities are courtesy of Eddy B and Electro-Fi's founder, Andrew Galloway. Galloway's belief in this project along with Eddy's superb record collection and good taste, helped bring this impeccable 'Midnite Blues Party: Vol. 1' into fruition. Now we can all enjoy these great tunes to the livin' end -- just like we're at home with our own very fine Eddy B record collection.
Label: Electro-Fi # 3372
Website: www.electrofi.com
Email: info@electrofi.com
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