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 What can I say to start off
this review other than Big Joe Duskin has been, since I first
heard of him, one of my favourite Blues pianists and singers
for a number of years now. I was very lucky to see Joe perform
in Toronto just over a decade ago, but when mentioning his
name to others they reply, Joe who? Though not as well know as
many other keyboard players after so many years, I really hope
his latest release on Yellow Dog Records "Big Joe Jumps
Again!" will finally bring the 83 year old Cincinnati
Blues artist to the forefront, for the great musician - it's
well long over due. Why does it take so long to be recognized
in this world of music? Big Joe Duskin in reality should be
"Sittin' on the Top of the World".
Joe's band on this album, not only includes his fine talents,
but two musicians that have had long history in the legacy of
the Blues and R&B. King Records session artists drummer
Phillip Paul and bassist Ed Conley who both played on the late
40's, 50's and early 60's hit recordings by Wynonie Harris,
Little Willie John, Hank Ballard, Bill Dogget and Freddie King
are part of his band. The inclusion of 60's/70's British rock
guitarist Peter Frampton (The Herd, Humble Pie and Camel) now
a Cincinnati resident on two tracks made me wonder what the
outcome of this recording would be like. And with the addition
of a few other special guests, my observations follow.
The CD kicks off with the trio doing Lowell Fulson's "
You're Gonna Miss Me". Memphis Slim's composition
"Everyday I Have The Blues" follows with Peter
playin' some straight ahead electric Blues guitar. Joe sounds
great ticklin' the black and whites and singin' the Blues on
Roosevelt Sykes' tune "Get Out of My Way". He raps
and goes solo on a short version of the classic " Down
the Road Apiece". On the traditional song "Betty and
Dupree" co-producer William Lee Ellis, on his National
steel guitar, joins the band. The threesome takes over again
on Memphis Minnie's "One Dirty Rat". Definitely one
of my favourite tracks on the CD is Joe's tune "Mean
& Strange", solo on the piano, and sounding like it
was recorded in the 30's. Big Bill Broonzy's "Key To The
Highway", one of the most recorded songs in the history
of the Blues, comes up next with Peter laying down some kool
bluesy guitar licks. The drinkin' Blues is covered with
Lucille Bogan's "Sloppy Drunk Blues", later recorded
by Jimmy Rogers, with Joe stickin' close to the original
version and a tune by Memphis Slim "Beer Drinking
Woman" with the duo of Ed and Phillip. Another special
guest Shawna Snyder grabs you with her powerful voice on
"Black Mountain Blues" backed up with guitar slidin'
by William Lee Ellis. Joe does a beautiful working of
Roosevelt Sykes' "Miss Ida B". Then he goes solo on
Johnny Horton's hit song "North to Alaska" and makes
oh so bluesy. Big Joe talks about the Blues on "The
Preacher and the Devil's Music". Part 2 of " You're
Gonna Miss Me" is up next and then the album ends on a
short instrumental, a gospel tune, "Just a Closer Walk
with Thee".
Yes, this recording was a very comfortable listen sitting on
my Blues couch, but Big Joe Duskin is a part of the past, but
he's still with us. Joe is a Blues artist that has to be heard
live in a Blues club, though this CD comes as close as
possible to a club atmosphere. It's the pure Blues.
His preacher father once told Joe, because he wanted to play
the Blues, "God will send you to Hell for this".
Well then Joe, if this is the case, thankx for stickin' to and
givin' us your lifetime of the Blues and I'd be more than glad
to join you there. Eddy B
Yellow Dog Records website: www.yellowdogrecords.com
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