They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Jimmy Reed - the original - ought to be very flattered indeed, as his diminutive namesake imitates him very well on "School's Out."
Alabama's Little Jimmy Reed -whose real name is Leon Atkins (and let's call him that to avoid confusion) - grew up near a nightclub whose jukebox regularly featured Reed's music. Acquiring his first guitar at age 16, he proved a fast learner. "My daddy bought me a guitar on Monday and by Saturday, I could play it," he's said. His ability to emulate his idol didn't go unnoticed; one night he was asked to substitute for Reed and, he claims, "the people couldn't tell the difference--or didn't care!" That, at least, would explain the stage name.
Yet while Reed is unquestionably Atkins' biggest influence, "School's Out" proves an apt title indeed, as Atkins exhibits more than enough personality here to establish himself as a unique voice. True, he opens with "Big Boss Man" and closes with "Honest I Do" - both tunes often associated with Reed - but Atkins' originals wouldn't sound too far out of place on his predecessor's playlist.
Sure, "Alabama's The Place To Be" ventures into territory a little funkier than Reed typically explored, but in spirit it's not far from "Down In Virginia," one of Reed's signature tunes. "I'm A Fool For You, Baby" is a shuffle featuring Reed-style harp and, but it's powered by greasy B3 and rocks significantly harder. "School's Out" is gritty, but it's in an uptown groove, with Atkins contented largely with funky riffing behind a bouncy beat. (If comparisons are to be made, here he sounds a lot like Billy Boy Arnold). "My Little Dog," a fine slow blues, shows he's no slouch on the fretboard as he and Mike Lawley play off each other nicely.
The next four are more of the same. ""Mumblin' Word" is funky with a slightly uptown beat, but "I Had A Dream" is solidly within twelve-bar tradition, a slow grinder Reed himself would have been proud of, with fine piercing upper-register harp. More harp drives "I've Got Love On My Mind," a shuffle that could serve as the dictionary definition of what it means for two guitars to work in unison within Chicago blues. Subtle but superb! "Help Me To Spend This Dough" is listed as an original, but it's essentially a remade (and sped-up) Reed tune most will recognize.
The life Jimmy Reed lived took its toll, but his unique and instantly identifiable sound lives on. Don't let the rather uninspiring packaging fool you. Little Jimmy Reed's "School's Out" does the master proud, not just as tribute (though Atkins' admiration is obvious), but as a continued exploration of Reed's signature style. As the title suggests, Atkins has learned his lessons well and is more than ready to show the world what he's got.
Well done!
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