Blues fans probably already know that Rick Estrin and The Nightcats used to be Little Charlie and the Nightcats, even though Estrin was the frontman for the band, while Charlie played fierce guitar.
Now that Charlie Baty has left the band, harpman Estrin has moved to the front in name as well as in music. And for their latest album, "Twisted" (Alligator Records), Estrin has written most of the tunes with their sly lyrics, and leads the way on harp and vocals through a scintillating set of rootsy blues -- sometimes adding the essence of old rock, country and R&B.
Estrin isn't exactly a one-man band, but he's close. Still, the players behind him contribute classy backing, soundng for all the world like a '50s party band, with a little bit of surfin' thrown in for good measure. Not that it's a bad thing. BlueNotes was practically a '50s party band his own self, so the music brings back a backseat memory or two. Here's sample of just that in "Back from the Dead":
Estrin's voice has a nice gritty flavor, and his harp work has a deep and sensuous feel, all done with a serious nod to blues traditions. Still, it maintains a good-time feel, and that's important. If I had a complaint, it would be that there's a little too much of the same thing, even though it's a good thing, in the album. The tempo varies, but the feel remains the same.
Estrin writes sly little songs that fit in nicely with the blues and R&B tradition -- "Big Time," "Walk All Day," "P.A. Slim Is Back." "Catchin' Hell" and on through the track list.
It's a fine album -- if you like rootsy harp music, Rick Estrin is your guy.
Here's a video of Estrin and the 'Cats at work:
The Bossman
I finally caught the Bossman, Porky Chedwick, in one of his local gigs last night at Leonard's Living Room in Bethel Park. Porky has been sitting in at local nightspots with his dusty discs since he returned from a brief sort-of-retirement in Florida last summer. He said the Burgh was where the Bossman belongs. Amen. If it wasn't for the Bossman and his music, BlueNotes would probably not exist.
I even managed to catch a few old favorite sounds -- Big Joe Turner, Bo Diddley, Jimmy Reed -- including one of my all-time faves from Reed, "Baby What You Want Me to Do?" One gentleman wandered along the bar, working on the lyrics to "Lima Beans," by Eddie Ware, from about 1952.
Sharing the table with the Tork was DJ Suzie Q, who spins the same sounds on WKFB radio -- 770 AM -- from 9 to noon on Saturdays. Porky, by the way, looks just fine for 91, natty in sport coat and slacks. Just goes to show you how the blues can keep you young.
Posted
Jun 11 2009, 01:00 AM
by
Jim White