CD Review
W. C. Spencer – The Bluescat
Blues Explorer
(Catscan Records – CTSC-0103)
by Dave "Doc" Piltz
Review date: October 2004
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W. C. Spencer – The Bluescat is a versatile Maryland bluesman who is able to sing and play guitar, harmonica, drums and bass pedals. What makes Spencer unique from other versatile blues musicians is the fact that he plays them all at the same time. Spencer is easily one of a few people in any musical genre that performs his craft with a full band comprised of him on all instruments. To see him perform live (which I have) is a unique and memorable experience, especially considering the quality of the music he generates on his own.
Blues Explorer is W. C. Spencer’s third recording on Catscan Records since returning to performing in 1994 after a 10 year hiatus. The recording includes twelve songs; with four W. C. Spencer originals and eight covers of songs by Howlin’ Wolf; Lieber & Stoller; Alex Lightfoot; Big Maceo; Little Walter; Big Bill Broonzy; and the late St. Louis bluesman Tommy Bankhead. In all cases, Spencer puts his unique twist on every song with his high energy, one man take on each song.
Highlights from Blues Explorer include the well done original opening track “I Said The Blues” followed by a nice rendition of Howlin’ Wolf’s classic, “Forty Four,” one of two Howlin’ Wolf tunes on the CD. Following Little Walter’s “Tell Me Mama,” Spencer puts down another original entitled "So Long," a tribute to guitarists Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton. Spencer does a great job on one of my favorite tunes, “Kansas City” and then shifts to the eastern border of the State of Missouri for "Down with the Blues" is an excellent shuffle written by the relatively unknown St. Louis bluesman Tommy Bankhead. Spencer works in a greasy slide guitar on Howlin' Wolf's "I'm Leavin' You," followed by Big Maceo’s classic "Worried Life Blues." Following “Mean Old Train,” a fine train song by Alex “Papa” Lightfoot, Blues Explorer closes with two more originals, “Call On Me” and “Fat Man Walking, followed by a final cover, “Key To The Highway,” another classic blues piece by Big Bill Broonzy. W. C. Spencer puts his unique stamp on every song whether it is an original or a cover, while maintaining the classic blues feeling of the songs.
Blues Explorer is a recording that blues fans will find interesting and unique it its presentation, with eight of the twelve songs recorded live. The fact that the live cuts are not appreciably different from the studio pieces is clear evidence that Spencer is no studio created musical aberration, but a legitimate and versatile performer. To learn more about W. C. Spencer or to pick up a copy of Blues Explorer, visit Spencer’s website at www.qis.net/~bluescat/.
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