Reviews
Artist:Big Joe Shelton Album: Black Prairie Blues
Label: Bear Family
Tracks: 15
Website: http://www.bear-family.de
Here we have a harmonica player born and raised in North East Mississippi in the Black Belt region that gave us Howlin' Wolf and Bukka White. Absolutely the 'real deal' when it comes to the blues. This is a re-issue of an album everyone raved about when it first came out and started winning awards in 2008/9. I'm not sure why Bear Family Records have re-released it but I am most definitely glad they did! A cracking good band featuring, among others, Ean Evans, late of Lynyrd Skynyrd, who co produced and played some fine guitar and bass. What can I say? It's delta blues at its absolute best and if that's your thing (as it is for me) you will struggle to find any fault with it. It contains top class playing throughout but there are some highlights.
'Ribs and Cat Whisky' has just harp and vocal with a foot stomp and crowd holler. About as raw and fun as it gets. 'Cat Fish Alley' is a straight ahead 4/4 12 bar featuring Joe's rugged voice that insists on reminding me of Captain Beefheart throughout this album. There is more hard driving blues in 'Chitlins In The Park' with this tight band channeling their inner ZZ Top! 'Mississippi Night' is searing and slow with Joe's harp played with a power that makes you wonder why the harmonica doesn't fall apart, not to mention a fine rhythm section. Top of the shop for me is undoubtedly 'Hope We Live To See The Day' - a real highlight with hard blown harp going toe to toe with a bottleneck slide guitar to die for from the aforementioned Ean Evans. My personal favourite. It's bar room music. It does what it says on the tin. Crack yourself a beer and enjoy!
Philip Thomas
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Fatea Showcase Sessions
The Fatea Showcase Sessions are a series of downloads featuring acts that we've really enjoyed and think that more people should get the chance to hear.
Pirate is the current session and features 16 fantastic artists check out the website to find out more about them and download your copy
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