Blues Society of Western PA - Newsletter

Lil' Ed Williams ain't exactly the most polished musician out there.....his vocals are gruff and at times strained, his recordings sometimes sound like they've never heard of a second take, and, off the top of my head, I could probably come up with a half dozen other slide guitarists that are technically superior. But this cat oozes blues.....he bleeds blues.....he breathes blues. He's a blues master, a giant in a diminutive frame.....and a house party waiting to happen, complete with fez hat and red Converse high tops. Goofy as hell, but the quintessential Chicago blues man..... "Full Tilt" delivers as advertised.....all stops are pulled, and you better buckle up or find a dance floor. Fittingly, Lil' Ed records with Alligator Records.....arguably the finest record label on the planet.The CD starts out rockin' with "Hold That Train", a fast paced tune where the rhythm section (James "Pookie" Young/bass...Kelly Littleton/drums) produces a swaying beat that makes you feel like you're on a party train flyin' down some forgotten back country track that's just barely keeping the train on the rails. Like most Lil' Ed tunes, it puts a smile on your face. You can find out for yourself on his MySpace page:http://www.myspace.com/liledblues"Housekeeping Job" and "Don't Call Me" are the next two tunes, and you start to detect a pattern.....even though he's singing about stone cold blues, he's havin' one hell of a time doin' it. "Check My Baby's Oil" is a classic example of not-so-subtle double entendre that's a staple in so many great blues tunes.....'nuff said.....ahem. Great tune..... Next up is a perfect cover of "First I Look at the Purse". Think J. Geils Band with a slide guitar..... Mike Garrett, backing guitar in the band, does a fine solo on "Love Don't Live Here Anymore", as well as great support on the rest of the CD. Things finally slow down on "Life Got in the Way", a very poignant, introspective look at why a relationship fell apart. I gotta say this is my favorite on the CD. The man's dyin' inside, and yet has the character to see things for what they are. "Yeah, life got in the way, boy...it was her life, or my life...who can say". "Candy Girl" gets back into Lil' Ed's comfort zone.....house party mode, then "Woman Take a Bow" slides into a fine R&B groove. "My Baby Moves Me" again features Mike Garrett, and showcases the stellar rhythm section.....the backbone of any great band. "Dyin' to Live" is a sweet side track from the mostly rowdy tone of "Full Tilt". Something most of us can relate to....."I had to start dyin' before I learnt how to live".....Things get back to a finger poppin' level with "Open Invitation", then gear back down to a great bluesy slow shuffle called "Every Man Needs a Good Woman" (ain't that the truth...) written by the bass player, "Pookie" Young. I liked this a lot..... The CD closes out with "Take 5", the old Hound Dog Taylor number, to which Lil' Ed added a few of his own lyrics. Perfect closing song to this CD, or to any Lil' Ed live show, for that matter. This tune don't pull no punches.....Speaking of lyrics, aside from 3 songs out of 14, Lil' Ed wrote original lyrics, either alone, or with his wife Pam. And did a damn fine job.I was lucky enough to see Lil' Ed last year at the Heritage Blues Fest in Wheeling, and I can say from personal experience that he and his band are the real deal. And it wasn't only on the festival stage. He showed up at the after-fest gig at the McClure hotel, and tore the joint up. Like I said, he's a house party waiting to happen. "Full Tilt" is a perfect name for this CD.....and a great way to describe Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials.....