Hubert Sumlin Kings Of Chicago Blues Vol.2 (blues)(mp3@320)[rogercc]

Hubert Sumlin And His Friends ‎– Kings Of Chicago Blues Vol. 2
Label: Vogue ‎
Series:For Blues Collectors Only –
Released:1973
Format: [email protected]




Also issued as “Funky Roots” on Blues Legacy label

Although he had recorded an album (and a Single) in 1964 while he was part of the American Folk Blues Festival tour, this was Sumlin’s 1st recording under his name with a standard size electric band and it took place in Chicago on January 20, 1971; fellow Mississippians Jimmy Dawkins on 2nd guitar and James Green on bass plus Chicagoan Freddie Below on drums constitute the core band; a trio of singers were alternatively and occasionally featured, both preventing the eventual shortcomings of an instrumental-only album and adding variety and appeal not only thanks to their vocal skills but also cause the instruments each of them played were usually a worthy added value as is the case of Billy Boy Arnold’s harmonica on “Everyday I have the Blues” or most notably Eddie Shaw’s tenor sax on “Little by Little”.

That Sumlin’s original number and album opener is called “Blues for Elmore James” and that the album’s closer is James iconic “It Hurts Me too” reveals that the slide giant, who was some 12 years his senior, was someone Sumlin looked up to for inspiration – even though it’s James’ disciple Joe Carter who, besides doing the singing on this relaxed and emotional version, should probably be credited for the most James-like slide parts heard on the song; however, and although Sumlin couldn’t naturally be completely impermeable to the styles of those he heard while he was self teaching himself to play the guitar – and it may be tempting to detect vestiges of Robert Johnson’s speedy runs, namely on the couple of solo pieces “One Down” and “When Evelyn’s not Around”- , there’s no denying Sumlin is an highly original guitar player: either working on his original numbers (which constitute the majority of the tracks), or cooking hid own renditions of tunes by the likes of B.B.King, Memphis Slim or Junior Wells (which along with the mentioned James cut are also a good measure of his diversified sources of inspiration), slowly nurturing calm pieces such as “Funky Roots” and “Straight Talk” or driving romping Chicagoan grooves such as “I Can’t Loose” or “Willie’s Back in Town”, Sumlin comes out as an highly imaginative improviser, alternating between snappy, pinched, metallic, warm, biting, slashing or bending strings’ attack, style and tone, and he stands out above all for the surprising honesty of his clichés-free playing and for the mutually stimulating interactions he enables the emergence of inside the band and which drive this freewheeling, unpolished and relaxed recordings that exude all the vitality and spontaneity of a Jam session of like-minded spirits.

Tracklist :
1 Blues For Elmore James 2:38
2 Funky Roots 3:46
3 I Can't Loose 3:39
4 One Down 3:40
5 Willie's Back In Town 2:45
6 Minor Feelings 3:12
7 Everyday I Have The Blues 3:30
8 Straight Talk 3:43
9 Little By Little 3:32
10 When Evelyn's Not Around 4:02
11 It Hurst Me Too 5:26

Bass – James Green
Drums – Freddie Below
Engineer – Paul Serrano
Guitar – Jimmy Dawkins
Harmonica – Billy Boy Arnold
Lead Guitar – Hubert Sumlin
Saxophone – Eddie Shaw
Vocals – Billy Boy Arnold (tracks: 3, 7), Eddie Shaw (2) (tracks: 9)
Vocals, Guitar – Joe Carter (tracks: 11)

Recorded on January 20, 1971 at the P. S. Recording Studios Chicago, Illinois