Delmark has also issued Snake Eyes, the latest album by another under-recorded blues veteran, Eddie Burns. Burns is a veteran of the Detroit blues scene, including playing with John Lee Hooker on a number of Hooker's finest band recordings. He shares some influences with Hooker including Tommy McLennan but in addition to being a fine rhythmic guitarist, he is a capable harmonica player indebted to John Lee 'Sonny Boy' Williamson.
Delmark, who has issued a couple of albums by his younger brother Jimmy, has just issued Eddie's Snake Eyes. On it, Burns is joined by brother Jimmy on guitar along with pianist Roosevelt Purifoy, bassist Nick Charles (brother of Magic Slim), and drummer Larry Taylor (one of the legendary Eddie Taylor's sons), in an album of postwar ensemble blues.
Playing both acoustic as well as electric guitar and harmonica, Burns' simple, effective playing and his straightforward plaintive singing result in some delightful traditionally oriented blues. There are echoes of classic Muddy Waters' stop-time grooves on Night Shift, while the rollicking Papa Likes to Boogie evidences the influence of Williamson. A spirited remake of the Drifters' Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash is joined by a tasteful cover of Memphis Slim's Lend Me Your Love, while Going to New Orleans, is similar to recordings by Otis Spann and Lonnie Johnson. The two Burns play acoustic guitars on the shuffle Treat Me Like I Treat You.
The backing band is wonderful and with Burns' honest and heartfelt performances, Snake Eyes is a gem.
I received my review copy from Delmark. This review originally appeared in the June 2002 DC Blues Calendar although I have made some minor edits to the original review. Here is "Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash" from this recording.
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