Direct links to the pre-Second World War Memphis blues sound are becoming harder and harder to find but Memphis Gold can be numbered among that small, select band who learned first-hand from the veterans. Memphis Gold's tutor in gospel music when he was a youngster was none other than Reverend Robert Wilkins, who recorded blues in the twenties and thirties, and incidentally wrote 'Prodigal Son' covered by The Rolling Stones on their 1968 album 'Beggar's Banquet'. It is a little misleading though to overstate the Wilkins connection as the track called 'Prodigal Son' on this album is a Memphis Gold original, with an excellent classic gospel-styled introduction that leads into a piano-driven blues a little reminiscent of Howling Wolf's version of '44 Blues'.

Memphis Gold - real name Chester Chandler - is now based in Washington DC and uses, among others, local musicians such as bassists Willie Hicks or Larry Self, harmonica players Phil Wiggins and the great and under-rated Charlie Sayles, and Nighthawks' drummer Pete Raguso to establish his soulful sound (and DC legend Bobby Parker is credited with 'special assistance). The opener reminds me a little of BB King's 'Never Make Your Move Too Soon' and sports a lovely, clean guitar break by Gold himself (as do most of the numbers here). Next up is the solid, up tempo blues of 'Don't Let Her Ride', with Gold and the band firing on all cylinders, and the remainder of the set stays in a blues bag, sometimes funky, occasionally getting relatively down-home - try 'Big Leg Woman' or '3's Tonic' which brings to mind his stint with Big Lucky Carter - or just fun pure and simple, like the good old-fashioned R&B instrumental 'Chicken It'.

Gold's attention to detail and slightly idiosyncratic vocals make him well worth listening to. Despite the occasional soul and funk trappings,this is in some ways a 'deep blues' set - but then what else would you expect from one of the last men around to have picked cotton on both Dockery's and Stovall's plantations?

www.memphisgoldprod.net

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