CD REVIEW - Live at the Grey Eagle - Mac Arnold's Blues Revival (with his plate full o' blues))
- Vizztone
After listening to a few CDs the last couple months and not knowing which to recommend to you folks, I found this long-titled CD (see above). Knowing Mac Arnold's style and seeing the list of players on the CD, I gave it a listen. Then many more listens. This is blues at its best. It's a mix of original and cover tunes with a Chicago blues flavor.
Mac has an interesting history. His first band had James Brown as the pianist. Yes "Sex Machine" James Brown. Later and most importantly, he was bass player for Muddy Waters. He also played bass for Buddy Guy and Tyrone Davis. This CD (all live by the way) has half the tracks by his band "Plate Full o' Blues". The last half is with "The Muddy Waters Reunion Band" featuring Mac Arnold, Bob Margolin, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds). All former band mates of Muddy except Kim who was a former student and friend. The first half are mainly his originals and some good ones. The only cover they do is " Drivin' Wheel", a great old tune I love. These guys do a hot kickin' version, which features banter between band members. All the other songs the band does are good tunes. Some great blues titles, too. "Gitty Up", "Backbone and Gristle" and " Ghetto Blue".
The Muddy reunion band played all covers. Some by Muddy of course. There are some authentic tunes by authentic artists. This CD is great for newbies and seasoned blues fans alike. "Sloppy Drunk" ( Sonny Boy Williamson), " Got My Mojo Workin' and " Screamin' and Cryin'", ( both Muddy Waters tunes) and "Big Boss Man" ( originally done by Jimmy Reed) along with a hot version of "Love Attack" featuring Kim Wilson are all on the second half. What makes it interesting is the way they combined old blues with modern times. On the Muddy tune "Screamin' and Cryin" , Bob Margolin forgot the words, so improvised "I didn't have seven wives like Mac, but I have 5,000 Facebook friends".
Bob Margolin also write the liner notes. He also referenced linking up old-time blues with current times stating "We were entertainers on a bandstand in 2010, not a museum exhibit".
~ Don Vecchio
~ Don Vecchio
Note: I didn't want to say anything negative in the article and there is nothing but good things in this CD. However, I do have a comment to make. Once again, "Got My Mojo Working" has found its way on another CD. While I think the song is a lot of fun and has a hot beat, it has become the "Stairway to Heaven " of blues tunes. I think I've heard it just twelve times too many. There, I said it. Sorry to you "Mojo" fans, but it had to be said. ~ Thank You , Don Vecchio
*Mac Arnold has been nominated for the 2012 Best Male Traditional Blues Artist at the Blues Music Awards.
