BlueNotes finally left his secure bunker at the world headquarters over the weekend, so he could check out Billy Price Saturday night after his return from a tour in France with blues guitarist Fred Chapellier behind their new CD, "Night Work." Would he be blowing air kisses? Tosssing Fench fries into the crowd? Singing the best French soul music?
None of the above, it turns out. Billy is his same fine old soulful Burgh self, belting out blue-eyed soul with a crackling band. He had to compete just a little with the final period of the Penguins' 5-0 playoff loss to Detroit on many big screens at the Rhythm House in Bridgeville. But if you had your priorities straight, the music was a lot more refreshing than the game. He included my favorite song from the new CD, the title track, a hard-driving blues-soul piece.
I had a chance during the show to chat with Billy's lovely wife Rebecca , who pointed out that Jeff Ingersoll of Bonedog Records in McKeesport is planning a Billy Price-Nighthawks shindig at the Palisades in McKeesport on Sept. 11. Sounds like a lot of fun. Welcome back, Billy.
I went looking on YouTube for a clip of Billy and Fred singing something from the new CD. Instead, I found this very interesting video of Fred on acoustic guitar and Billy taking a gritty blues turn on the fine old "Baby What You Want Me to Do." It looks like something he and Billy did in a studio in France. It also looks like Billy doing what you've probably never seen him do. Great song, great job. Maybe the next Price album should be old acoustic blues.
A voice from the past
One of the greatest of the old blues singers, Bobby "Blue" Bland, i still around at 79. He appeared in Columbus, Ohio, at the end of May, and if you're been wondeirng about him, here's a nice review.
And here's another video of Bland from a 2006 show. Just for fun.
Posted
Jun 08 2009, 01:00 AM
by
Jim White