Little G Weevil Moving

Winner of the 2013 International Blues Challenge for solo/duo, Little G Weevil obviously impressed Richard Rosenblatt of VizzTone, not simply winning but also the fact that he bested the duo of Erin Harpe and Rosenblatt on his way to winning. The result is his Apic/VizzTone release, Moving. Weevil is an impressive, traditionally rooted blues artist who was born overseas, but has immersed himself in playing the blues in Memphis and Atlanta. He impressed many with his prior recordings where he displayed his mastery of older blues traditions including marvelous originals that evoked early John Lee Hooker.

The present release will certainly cause additional fans of blues to take notice of his talents. This is apparent on the original Shook It and Broke It, that opens this. His slide guitar accompaniment suggests Fred McDowell and Bukka White on a song that sounds like it was from the thirties. He adroit use of repetition and riffs is exhibited on On My Way To Memphis, with some nifty guitar lines set against a repeated riff, while a small group provides him with an insistent pulse on Mean and Dirty. Within these three songs we get quite a varied look at  Lil G Weevil's approach that is manifested throughout this collection. Other selections include the North Mississippi Hills groove on Deep Bow and the title track with hints of swamp pop with a lazy walking groove and some Slim Harpo styled harmonica. Another highpoint is his deliberative, reflective interpretation of Walter Davis' classic Let's Talk It Over (Come Back Baby).

Moving is another substantial recording by Lil G Weevil who demonstrates an uncanny ability to cast original down-home blues styled in the manner played decades ago by blues legends and perform with authority and soul. He is a most impressive talent.

I received my review copy from VizzTone. Here is a video of Little G Weevil.