Something Else! Reviews on the 2009 Blues Hall of Fame honorees

by Nick Deriso

The Blues Foundation announced its 2009 inductees for the Blues Hall of Fame on Wednesday.

Lucky us. We already love ’em: Multiple Grammy Award-winner Taj Mahal; Irma Thomas, the “Soul Queen of New Orleans”; as well as late Chicago bluesman Son Seals and the Reverend Gary Davis.

Several singles or album tracks are also set to be recognized during the ceremony later this year: “Boom Boom” by John Lee Hooker; “Caldonia” by Louis Jordan; and “Sitting on Top of the World” by the Mississippi Sheiks.

Albums chosen for induction include: Amtrak Blues by Alberta Hunter; T-Bone Blues by T-Bone Walker; and the 2-CD compilation Blues With a Feeling (Newport Folk Festival Classics).

Here’s our take on Mahal’s new one. Click through the titles for expanded reviews …

TAJ MAHAL, ‘MAESTRO’: Taj Mahal established the template early on by blending in so many styles: mix Caribbean, folk and rock with the blues and blues standards with some solid originals. Acoustic with electric. Mahal is truly the Swiss Army knife of the blues. Maestro doesn’t tamper with that template. Whatever Taj does, he does it well. Every song on Maestro is a change-up but every song also has its own charms. It’s the mark of a 40 year professional completely settled and comfortable in his approach to his music.

The Mississippi Sheiks were famously included on this old-old school release, as well. …

MISSSISSIPPI SHEIKS, ‘RAUNCHY BUSINESS (1928-39)’: It’s an album of steadfastly dirty blues songs — though innuendo replaces the jarring language of today’s brazen new world. Of special note is “Driving that Thing,” made in Shreveport in 1930 by the Mississippi Sheiks — Walter Vincson (who sometimes recorded as Walter Jacobs) on guitar and vocals with Lonnie Chatman on violin and vocals. The Sheiks were a family band that played the Crystal Springs/Bolton/Jackson circuit back then. Armenter Chapman, who would later lead the Sheiks, is also featured on “Raunchy Business.” Recording here as Bo Carter, Chapman’s best tune is called “My Pencil Won’t Write No More.” In the end, it’s a fun little side trip into risque roots music.

Thomas also has a terrific new CD out on Rounder featuring pianist Dr. John, David Torkanowsky, Ellis Marsalis, John Medeski, David Egan, Marcia Ball, Norah Jones and Randy Newman, among others. That album, called “Simply Grand,” will be the subject of a future review on SomethingElse!

Austin, Texas, club owner Clifford Antone, discographer Mike Leadbitter and author Bob Porter will be the non-performers inducted in the Blues Hall of Fame this year. The book I Hear You Knockin’ by Jeff Hannusch was selected as a Classics of Blues Literature. The induction ceremony will be held at The Blues Foundation’s charter member dinner on Wednesday, May 6, at the Memphis Marriott Downtown in Memphis, Tenn., the night before the 30th Blues Music Awards. Taj Mahal and Irma Thomas are scheduled to attend the induction ceremony.

The Hall of Fame committee, consisting of scholars, record producers, radio programmers, and historians, is chaired by Jim O’Neal, founding editor of Living Blues.

Finally, here’s our take on one of Hooker’s classics …

JOHN LEE HOOKER, ‘NEVER GET OUT OF THESE BLUES ALIVE’ (1972):
I’m still struck by a forlorn-looking John Lee, in the clearly ironic cover image, sitting on an LA transit bus under a sign that reads: “NO DANCIN’.” Well, yes, and no. Save for the “T.B. Sheets,” a shattering requiem, this is more often a driving, upbeat offering — even if Hooker’s low rumble can’t help but give it great portent. Hooker, who died in his sleep a decade after his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, was the definition (as the Who’s Pete Townshend once rightly philosophized) of the power chord. Also, a foot-stamping percussion instrument all to himself. He played in a droning style that belied his Delta roots, something more in keeping with north Mississippi descendants like Junior Kimbrough, but still worked within the familiar syntax of boogie-woogie. That led to an shambling soulfulness.

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Nick DeRiso

Nick DeRiso has written for USA Today, American Songwriter, All About Jazz, and a host of others. Honored as columnist of the year five times by the Associated Press, Louisiana Press Association and Louisiana Sports Writers Association, he oversaw a daily section named Top 10 in the U.S. by the AP before co-founding Something Else! Nick is now assistant managing editor with Townsqaure Media. Listen to NICKRADIO here: bit.ly/NICKRADIO.

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