James Booker
THE LOST PARAMOUNT TAPES
DJM-10010
available on Amazon
Every now and then the gleam of a treasure flashing in the sun after a long day of toil hits the eyes. This is how you might feel when finally you have the opportunity to listen to this disc. No, listen is the wrong word. Revel in the musical joy that this disc exudes. This is a disc made by one of the best of the piano players to come out of New Orleans, playing with an All Star band of New Orleans musicians. The music just absolutely sparkles here, all the more amazing because it was recorded live in the L.A.. area with no overdubs in 1973, and is just being released now because it was lost for 20 years. Booker on Piano is joined by many of his friends from when he played with Dr. John (the two of them in one band trading licks on piano is something I would have loved to have seen. This disc hits a groove and does not quit exploring all kinds of variations of that funky New Orleans shuffling of rhythmic patterns. Shifting from straight ahead blues, to a little bit of an R & B beat, drifting into some complex Caribbean rhythm, moving off into some jazz riffs, while all the time maintaining the feel of the original blues it started with. Give a listen to what they do to the Leadbelly tune of GOODNIGHT IRENE. All the players get to shine in their time thus I am not going to single out any, but it is definitely James Booker's disc and thus it is piano driven. His brilliance get to shine thru. You owe your ears a favor for all the hard work they have done for you, treat them to this disc. You won't regret it.
Song, writers and times:
1. GOODNIGHT IRENE - H. Ledbetter - 3:33
2. FEEL SO BAD - C. Willis - 3:53
3. JUNCO PARTNER - B. Shad - 5:07
4. AFRICAN GUMBO - J. Booker/M. Lastie - 2:44
5. LAH TEE TAH - J. Booker - 5:43
6. SO SWELL WHEN YOU'RE WELL - J. Booker - 6:19
7&8. STORMY MONDAY-HOUND DOG MEDLEY - T. Walker - Leiber & Stoller - 5:45
9. HOLE IN THE WALL - McGee - 2:10
10. TICO TICO - Abreu-Drake-Oliviera - 5:38
11. JUNCO PARTNER #2 - B. Shad - 3:52
Players and instruments
James Booker - piano, lead vocals
John Boudreaux - drums
Jessie Hill - vocals and tambourine
Richard "Didimus" Washington - percussion
David Lastie - sax
David Johnson - bass
Alvin "Shine" Robinson - background vocals (GOODNIGHT IRENE), guitar
produced by Daniel Moore and Dave Johnson