TEXAS SLIM - CD LUCKY MOJO

Popis - LUCKY MOJO:
After the more than splendid free ranging skill and artistry that was undoubtedly displayed on Texas Slim’s previous stunning live album entitled “Cookin’ With Gas” ( Feelin’ Good Records 015). He, some five days later went into the studio to record this album for your delight and delectation. An album that will yet again dazzle, impress and amaze all who hear this hard hitting no-nonsense deadly, earthy, blasting Texan guitarslinger. To maintain the intensity of feeling and to hold onto that grooving, cruising vibe, the whole album was recorded in three days; twelve of the numbers were set down in two days on the fifthteenth and sixteenth of March two thousand and eleven at the Vox studios, Italy; the remaining three numbers were recorded on the tenth of May two thousand and eleven at Audio, Dallas, Texas. The musicians joining T.S. on the Italian sessions were as on the live album that being; the rock solid powerhouse combination of Martin Iotti; bass, Lele Zamperini; drums and Max Lugli lovingly blasting away on the harmonica. For the American sessions we have two long time collaborators of Texas Slim Bill Cornish; bass and Kenny Stern; drums, together they give a helping hand to provide the seamless backing that is found throughout the whole album. In conversation with Norman Darwen Texas Slim explained that he believes, ‘European audiences listen more carefully to the music to appreciate it and respect it as work of art’ he further stated that ‘You feel like a big star when people cheer for you at the concerts - it makes you play better.’ He also went on to clearly and succinctly define what he believes to be is the essence of the blues and what it means; ’The music is simple so it can be enjoyed without any analysis. The blues is what comes from your heart. While your mind winds down to relax from everyday worries. Blues is from the heart and for the heart! It can be sad, happy, angry or humorous.’ These very beliefs are amply demonstrated by the hypnotically played music on this album. T.S. has a straight forward, no frills, no embellishment approach that is completely lacking in any kind of the lush atmospherics or histrionics that are available to utilise in the studio, no, he delivers a no-nonsense stripped down sound that goes straight for the jugular. I can emphatically state to you that right from the very first number entitled “Coffee Grinding Mama,” Texas Slim leaves you in no doubt as to his intentions as it exudes an evocatively earthy raw feel with its’ fantastically slow burning blues, which features a lovely low-down dirty duel between a sleazy, fuzzy and ringing guitar and an angry wailing harmonica, topped off with an equally raw delivery of vocals demanding their early morning ‘coffee grind’ his teasing and tempting guitar is a gripping and almost painful lone winding and wailing sound in the dark on “Play it Cool.” “T & A Boogie,” beautifully illustrates how highly Texas Slim regards Lightin’ Hopkins and is a constant source of inspiration to him; his brash, breathtaking and breakneckingly fast sliding guitarwork on this number sears an emotionally aural scar over a ringing and breathlessly incessant rasping harmonica. It has to said, Slim undoubtedly knows how to wring extremes of emotion from not only the audience but also from any guitar he chooses for on the swinging “Sunny Roads Blues,” Slim lays down a intoxicatingly syrupy mellow Lap steel rhythm that is simply irresistible. Later, on the album he shows how splendid a swinging server of toe-tappin’ twangers he is, with such numbers as the bruising guitar roller “She’s Gonna Leave Me,” “She’s Coming Home,” is a lyrically sweet shuffling Rock’n’Roller. The title number “Lucky Mojo,” is a fine example of the freewheeling, shuffling and rolling intensity of guitar slinging of Freddy King. “In the Ghetto,” has Texas Slim, displaying his succulently smooth and loping grooving latin rhythms whilst being bothered by a persistent stabbing harmonica. This collection of numbers easily demonstrates how all the days and nights of playing and paying his dues in those blues clubs in and around the Dallas area has finely developed his instincts and honed his senses. I think you will agree with me that we now have yet another tough, Texan guitarslinger leaving the Lone Star State to blast his way round Europe making a name for himself while taking no prisoners! Brian Harman Contributor to: Blues Matters and Blues in the South