CD Review
Watermelon Slim
Up Close And Personal
(Southern Records Group & Management, 2004 #SRG-1003)
by Bill Halaszynski
Review date: July 2005
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Watermelon Slim AKA Bill Homans recently gave up
driving truck for a fulltime music career after years
of wandering back and forth between the two. The
possessor of a master’s degree in History as well as
being a former MENSA member he’s not your typical
bluesman, or truck driver for that matter. The music
he plays is pure Americana, relating life on the road
and the CDs title, Up Close And Personal is an apt
description of its contents. “Truck Holler #1,” opens
things up on a plaintive, A cappella note bemoaning
the never ending road and its place as his destiny.
“Blue Freightliner,” follows with some jaunty National
Steel by Homans and spoon work by bassist Honour Havoc
as the narrator tells of his journeys in his beloved
18 wheeler. It’s timeless Blues in terms of
inspiration and execution.
“Bridgebuilder,” is a strong departure from back porch
blues with Homans delving into African rhythms,
playing the Kalimba in a tale of hope for
reconciliation between peoples. “Too Old Is getting
Younger all The Time,” reseats the singer on his stoop
as he laments missed opportunities past. Throughout,
Homans treads the thin line between hope and despair
like only a true survivor can. A heart attack was
part of the reason he decided to turn to music
fulltime in an apparent attempt to claim some share of
personal artistic success from a life lived in a
constant state of transit. His originals all hit
their target in that regards.
The covers are personalized and work well in the
context of the original material.
The Howlin’ Wolf standard “Smokestack Lightning” is
transformed from its wailing original state to a
mournful lament that, while more subdued, is every bit
as heart breaking. Sonny Boy Williamson’s “”I Don’t
Care No More,” finds Homans backed only by his own
harp and is striking in its starkness and candor.
Havoc’s bass drives the Mississippi Fred McDowell
nugget “Highway 61,” in an almost military manner.
Mr. Homans has done an excellent job here blending
personal vision with a traditional American art form
to make music that succeeds on all fronts and is just
plain good to boot. Next time out, he’s supposedly
gonna explore up tempo Chicago style blues with the
help of Bob Margolin on a release due in August ’05,
this collection here, however, is a fine place to whet
your appetite with Watermelon Slim’s Up Close And
Personal Blues.
Southern Records Group & Management USA
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