Eddy 'The Chief' Clearwater - 2 albums: Rock 'n' Roll City / West Side Strut

Album: Rock 'n' Roll City
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:49
Size: 100.3 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[2:47] 1. You're Humbuggin' Me
[2:32] 2. Ding Dong Daddy
[3:31] 3. Lonesome Town
[3:48] 4. Hillbilly Blues
[2:34] 5. Monkey Paw
[2:50] 6. Back Down To Earth
[4:00] 7. Before The Song Is Over
[3:20] 8. Old Time Rocker
[2:19] 9. Midnight Groove
[3:34] 10. I Love You
[3:25] 11. Let The Four Winds Blow
[2:46] 12. Peggy Sue
[6:17] 13. Good Times Are Coming

The association seems unusual at first glance, but Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater's roots rock and blues backed by Los Straitjackets' twangy surf results in a potent combination. Other than the participants' colorful choice of headgear, this joint venture urges Clearwater to his most rocking and uninhibited studio performances, while expanding his stylistic boundaries. Never a straight bluesman, the Chief's Chuck Berry tendencies are well established. But even though he tosses off another in a long line of Berry-esque rockers with a "Johnny B. Goode"-heavy "Hillbilly Blues," this album explores his non-blues roots more thoroughly. The opening cover of "You're Humbuggin' Me" kicks things off with a blast of '50s Little Richard abandon. Elsewhere, he moves into spaghetti Western, reverbed instrumental/rockabilly waters -- no doubt provoked by the Straitjackets -- on "Monkey Paw." Clearwater also tosses in a few Ray Charles-styled R&B '50s nuggets in "I Love You" and "Before This Song Is Over," both originals that sound like authentic lost gems due partially to Dennis Taylor's tough tenor sax. New Orleans rhythms rule on Clearwater's cover of Fats Domino's "Let the Four Winds Blow," and he hits an easygoing rockabilly vibe on "Midnight Groove," another horn and guitar-driven burner. "Back Down to Earth" also mixes swamp soul with country blues in an intoxicating blend. Closing with "Good Times Are Coming," a six-minute gospel-tinged slow blues with only a lonely organ as accompaniment, brings Clearwater full circle and ends the album on its mellowest note. The guitarist sounds jovial and inspired throughout, trading licks with Los Straitjackets' Eddie Angel and Danny Amis and singing with an upbeat affability that makes it sound as if he's in your living room. With its diverse menu and crackling performances, Rock 'n' Roll City demonstrates that Eddy Clearwater excels at far more than his existing catalog indicates. ~Hal Horowitz

Rock 'n' Roll City

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Album: West Side Strut
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:02
Size: 121.4 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[4:11] 1. A Good Leavin' Alone
[4:09] 2. Hypnotized
[4:38] 3. Gotta Move On
[4:08] 4. Walking Thru The Park
[4:21] 5. Do Unto Others
[3:55] 6. Blue Over You
[6:08] 7. Trouble, Trouble
[3:53] 8. Too Old To Get Married
[6:12] 9. Came Up The Hard Way
[4:22] 10. They Call Me The Chief
[3:41] 11. Rock-A-Blues Baby
[3:18] 12. A Time For Peace

The Chief Eddy Clearwater's West Side Strut is his first release for the Alligator label, and while nothing here is a surprise, Clearwater's Chicago blues/Chuck Berry hybrid remains evident as he works his way through a mix of rock & roll, country, soul, and gospel. Along with Clearwater is a stellar group of fellow Windy City musicians led by second guitarist (and producer) Ronnie Baker Brooks and his band, a horn section, and appearances by Billy Branch on harp, guitarist Lonnie Brooks, and backup vocals by Otis Clay and Jimmy Johnson. Spirited cover versions of Muddy Waters' "Walking Through the Park" and Lowell Fulson's "Trouble, Trouble" are highlights, as are the gutbucket blues "A Good Leavin' Alone," "Blue Over You," and the autobiographical "They Call Me the Chief." West Side Strut is another solid effort for the Chief and Alligator, as well. ~Al Campbell

West Side Strut

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