Little Charlie and the Nightcats
SHADOW OF
THE BLUES
Alligator 4862
available on amazon
Stompin' and rompin', this band burns all in its way as it intelligently boogies its way across the landscape of blues, never failing to interject some humor, of the perpetual wiseass type, into what it is playing. The humor comes from both Rick Estrin's lyrics in the songs he writes, and also from the interplay of the players as they work out the song. This band has spent the long and hard times it takes to hone its music down to a sophisticated and rock steady sound. Musically they span a wide variety of styles, but always it springs from a rock solid Chicago blues band base. The core of the group guitarist Little Charlie Baty and vocalist, writer, and harmonica player Rick Estrin first teamed up nearly 25 years ago, they are joined by Ronnie James Weber on stand-up bass and June Core on drums. Together they take their Chicago base and mix it with Texas swing, jitterbug jive, and bebop jazz. The band has the advantage of a main songwriter in Rick Estrin and his carefully crafted songs, 8 of the 13, show a wry and agile mind that is matched by his playing. He plays the harmonica like he was born with it in his mouth. These guys have an eloquent interplay that threatens at any moment to burst into flames hot enough to toast everything within a large radius to a burnt cinder. This new disc is far and away one of best things to cross my desk in a long time. SHADOWS OF THE BLUES contains some of the deepest, most original, and wryly humorous lyrics I have heard in that proverbial 'coon's age'. This disc has some of the most searing and original guitar licks, played with an elegance that hasn't been heard in forever. Mix that with the waterfall sound of Estrin's harmonica and vocals and an extraordinarily tight rhythm section, that plays with sterling instrumental skills, and you have all the makings of a grand party. That is exactly what this disc is. You will not experience a disappointing second when it is on the player.
Songs, times and writers
1. NEVER TRUST A WOMAN - 5:07 - Estrin and Alvin
2. NEW OLD LADY - 3:48 - Estrin
3. WHEN YOUR WOMAN IS GONE - 5:49 - Estrin and Alvin
4. YOU GOT YOUR HOOKS IN ME - 3:11 - Estrin
5. BIG AND FAT - 4:13 - Estrin
6. YOU DON'T LOVE ME THAT WAY - 3:20 - Williamson
7. WALKIN' IN THE SHADOW OF THE BLUES - 5:42 - Estrin
8. GOT IT GOOD - 3:19 - Estrin
9. DIRTY DEALIN' MAMA - 4:23 - Oscher and Alperin
10. PERCOLATIN' - 4:18 - Baty
11. I DON'T DRINK MUCH - 4:46 - Weber and Estrin
12. MURMUR LOW - 3:16 - Spires
13. YOU GOT TO ROCK - 4:22 - Estrin
Musicians
Little Charlie Baty - guitar
Rick Estrin - harmonica and vocals - guitar on MURMUR LOW
Ronnie James Weber - bass
June Core - drums and maracas
with
Jimmy Pugh - piano and organ
Produced by - Charlie Baty and Rick Estrin