Eisenhower Blues Has Some Excellent Post-War Blues

The following review appeared in the September/October 2006 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 286) I have made minor corrections. I should note that my original review did not include the recording's subtitle, Post-War Urban Blues Classics From the Eisenhower Era (1952-1960).

While J.B. Lenoir waxed a blues protesting the hard times during the administration of President Eisenhower during the 1950s, most of the recordings compiled on Eisenhower Blues (Empire Musicwerks) lack such a topical center but simply are strong blues recordings with most having a down home flavor.  

Long-time collectors will have some or many of these performances, but these remastered sides sound really nice. Others will discover a number of little known artists that have much to say. There are a couple of gems from Lenoir, including the title track and the lively medium tempo boogie, Fine Girls. The CD opens with John Brim’s topical Tough Times, with Jimmy Reed on harmonica. 

Others heard here of note include Jody Williams (as Little Papa Joe)  doing a peppy Lookin’ For My Baby; Harp player and vocalist Dusty Brown (recently heard on Severn’s Chicago harp anthology) on his fine downhome Yes, She’s Gone, more down home harp and vocals from Little Sammy Davis (who is still active and occasionally on Imus’ radio show) doing 1958 Blues based on the Rollin’ & Tumblin’ riff; and Joe Hill Louis’ Jealous Man (as Johnnie Louis) which sports a wild guitar break. There is Sunnyland Slim’s Goin' Back to Memphis, another Rollin & Tumblin’ variant; Willie Egan’s wild Fat Domino-inspired rocker Wow Wow Wow; a couple from Baby Boy Warren with Calvin Frazier on guitar and Washboard Willie (I believe on washboard), including Mattie Mae, adapted from a John Lee ‘Sonny Boy’ Williamson recording; an early Albert King recording (showing a bit of Elmore James influence), (Be on Your) Merry Way; and Little Willie Foster’s tough Fallin’ Rain Blues.” 

There are other equally fine songs by others on this collection with annotation from Bill Dahl making for a treasure trove for the blues fan. 

As a sample of this here is Dusty Brown's Yes, She’s Gone.

Byther Smith and Blues On The Moon

Yesterday I posted an older Byther Smith review. The following review is of what I believe was his last release, a live performance issued on CD and DVD by Delmark.

Chicago blues guitarist-vocalist Byther Smith has not had an easy life, but he certainly has overcome a lot and produced plenty of solid West Side Chicago blues. This writer first became aware of him from some tough 45 rpm singles, including a strong, insistent rendition of Detroit Junior’s Money Tree. He had albums for small labels like Grits and Razor, and the latter was picked up by Bullseye Blues, with whom he also recorded a new disc. In more recent years he has recorded for Delmark and the European Black and Tan and his music has remained pretty constant. Impassioned vocals, stinging, driving guitar and tight bands that kick the groove along.


Delmark’s latest live recording is Smith’s Blues on the Moon: Live at the Natural Rhythm Social Club. It is available on CD and DVD, with the DVD including one track not on the CD. Over a hour of straight blues with no filler. Smith’s propulsive attack and soulful vocals is ably supported by the band of Anthony Palmer, guitar; Daryl Coutts, keyboards; Greg McDaniel, bass; and James Carter on drums. Coutts piano is especially noteworthy backing Smith who tackles a variety of material including the driving title track, Your Mama’s Crazy, inspired by Mama Talk To Your Daughter, by his cousin, J.B. Lenoir, with a different lyrical cast and some stinging guitar instead of Lenoir’s boogie riffing.


Smith’s staccato single note playing has a drive to it and enhances his pleading vocals. And he has a few distinctive riffs that enliven his rendition of the well worn Rock Me Baby. A highlight is the autobiographical Monticello, set to the melody of Let’s Straighten It Out, and the performances closes with an marvelous original recasting Don’t Start Me Talkin.


Sound on the recording is excellent and the DVD continues Delmark’s straight-forward approach in its video production. Focus is on Byther and musicians with some crowd shots added, but not to any distraction. The performances, and Byther’s intense focus in his performances commands our attention. As a bonus, there is a fascinating interview and commentary by Steve Wagner and Byther Smith discussing his career and the performances, along with Wagner discussing the actual production of the CD/DVD.


This is another excellent addition to Delmark’s CD/DVD pairs and I would be hard-pressed to name another blues label that is producing such new live blues CDs at such a high level of artists that frankly should be documented. Jimmy Johnson next please Delmark.

I received my review copy from Delmark.