Junior Watson Nothing To It But To Do It

Junior Watson
Nothing To It But To Do It
Little Village Foundation

Junior Watson is among the most respected blues guitarists on the West Coast who has played with and recording with such acts as Big Mama Thornton, George Harmonica Smith, Jimmy Rogers, Shakey Jake, Kim Wilson, Charlie Musselwhite, William Clarke and more. He was the original guitarist in The Mighty Flyers with whom he stayed ten years. He has not recorded often as a leader which is rectified on this new CD from the Little Village Foundation. This recording was co-produced by Kid Andersen with Watson and recorded at Andersen's Greaseland Studios. Andersen himself says, "There is no guitarist on earth I value higher than Junior Watson." Making this record with him is one of the greatest honors in my life."

There is a mix of instrumentals and vocals. Watson sings on several tunes, and there are vocals by guests Alabama Mike and Lisa Leuschner Andersen. Others in the studio band are Sax Gordon on saxophone; Jim Pugh on keyboards, Kedar Roy on bass, and Andrew Guterman on drums with Gary Smith on harmonica on one song.

The mood is set with the opening instrumental, "Up and Out," displaying Watson's crisp, twisting attack that evokes to this listener the shattering Memphis attack of Willie Johnson mixed with a touch of Albert Collins and Jimmy Nolen. Gordon is outstanding while Pugh's skating rink organ adds to the atmosphere. Other instrumentals include "Ska-Ra-Van" a ska version of Juan Tizol-Duke Ellington's Caravan." Gordon takes an imaginative tenor sax solo while Pugh' organ adds to the flavor of the performance. There is a Mexican flavored instrumental "Summer of Love" with scintillating guitar, and a raucous shuffle "Space Flight, with Pugh's organ, followed by some blistering guitar." "Pee Wee Classic," a tribute to Pee Wee Crayton, is an exciting spinoff of "Texas Hop."

The five vocals by Lisa Andersen, Kid's wife, are a revelation as she sings with a forcefulness and nuance that suggests such sixties female singers as Carol Fran, Carla Thomas, and Barbara Lewis. Certainly the hard-rocking "Don't Freeze Me Out" is a gripping performance, while "One Way Street" is a further showcase of how good a singer she is while Gordon is excellent on the baritone sax. Another vocal is the James Brown penned "I Found You," a variant of "I Got You." Alabama Mike co-wrote with Watson, an intense slow blues "A Shot in the Dark," on a performance in the vein of Buddy Guy's Chess recordings. Watson himself is an understated, appealing vocal on a shuffle "Louella," as well as a revival of Chicago blues harpist Dusty Brown's "Well, You Know," with Gary Smith adding his harmonica.

Junior Watson, a brilliant guitarist and with the terrific backing band, is showcased on a marvelous recording that displays his considerable talents.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a clip of Junior Watson performing in 2017.

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats Contemporary

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
Contemporary
Alligator Records

If one counts the nine albums when Little Charlie Baty led the Nightcats, this is the fourteenth album by the tight West Coast ensemble. It is the fifth since Rick Estrin took over leadership after Baty retired from touring. With Christoffer "Kid" Andersen on guitar (who also doubles on bass and others instruments), Lorenzo Farrell on keyboards and Derrick "D'Mar" Martin on drums, the Nightcats remain one of the tightest blues bands going. Others heard on this recording include Alex Pettersen on drums; Quantae Johnson on bass and background vocals; Lisa Leuschner Andersen on background Vocals; Jim Pugh on organ and The Sons Of The Soul Revivers on background vocals. This was recorded at Andersen's Greaseland Studios.

Rick Estrin wrote nine of the twelve tracks, Andersen and Farrell one each and there is one 'obscure' cover. Besides being one of today's t blues harmonica players, Estrin is among the blues finest songwriters. His songs are usually laced with ironic humor, and sometimes biting commentary, and one has a combination hard to beat. Estrin wrote nine of the twelve tracks, Andersen and Farrell one each and there is one 'obscure' cover. Nothing showcases the ironic humor and his commentary better than "Root of Evil." On this song, Estrin asks if money is the root of all evil, what does one call being broke. It is a typically well-played, well-paced performance with a thoughtful unamplified harp solo and a short Farrell solo. The title track starts as a brisk shuffle blues as Estrin sings about the blues not going out of style. It morphs into Estrin's humorous escape into making his music 'contemporary.' Andersen adds a chorus of blues-rock guitar, even having a rap from D'Mar Martin thrown in with a jam band freakout.

Estrin always seems to find himself in strange relationships as in "She's Nuts." On this performance, he has a superb harmonica solo in the vein of Rice "Sonny Boy Williamson' Miller.  Elsewhere, he sings about the older man with his young lover who has her hands in his pocket in "Nothing But Love," the one cover. He has a superb amplified harp solo with swooping saxophone-like lines as Andersen provides subtle backing. There is the soulful blues "New Shape (Remembering Junior Parker)" with a harp solo that evokes the legendary blues giant.

Estrin is also not afraid to showcase the band as on Andersen's instrumental "House of Grease" which sounds inspired by Freddie King performing "Big Legged Woman." Besides Andersen's excellent playing, Farrell has a tasty piano solo. Farrell wrote the jazzy instrumental "Cupcakin'," a jazzy instrumental with Andersen's fleet, jazz-inflected playing complementing Farrell's organ grooves. Estrin also adds his own wide-open harp. Estrin's "Bo Dee's Bounce," is a lively instrumental that showcases Estrin's driving harmonica with Andersen taking a short, imaginative guitar break. It closes another terrific recording by Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, full of excellent material and superb playing.

I received my review copy from Alligator. This will be available on September 20. Here is a video of a recent performance by Rick Estrin & the Nightcats.