Severn Records artist: Kim Wilson - Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1 - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1, from Kim Wilson and it's a heavy dose of old style Chicago blues. Opening with harp instrumental Bonus Boogie, Wilson is hitting on all cylinders, backed by Big Jon Atkinson on guitar, Bob Welsh on guitar, Troy Sandow on bass and Malachi Johnson on drums. Excellent! Sonny Boy Williamson's, Ninety-Nine features Wilson on lead vocal and harp and it's one of my favorites on the release. Pure Chicago style and Wilson's tight harp tone is the ticket here. Big Maceo's Worried Life Blues is up next with a solid slower pace highlighted by the keen piano work of Barrellhouse Chuck. John Lee Hooker's Same Old Blues has a swinging blues feel a la BB King or T Bone Walker. Billy Flynn steps in with some choice riffs on guitar, complimented by Larry Taylor on bass, Richard Innes on drums and Jonny Viau on horns. Very nice! Magic Sam's Look Whatcha Done has a great groove with slick guitar riffs by Atkinson and Welsh. Big Walter's Blue and Lonesome is another of my favorites on the release with Atkinson and Nathan James on guitar, some of the best vocals on the release and tight guitar attacks under the melody throughout. Wilson really belts it out on this one crushing it. Kim Wilson's own instrumental, Edgier is a great shuffle with harp lead. Excellent! Wrapping the release is Jimmy Rogers' You're The One. With solid vocals and harp by Wilson, Dodson on drums, and Atkinson on guitar, this is a super closer for a really solid release.

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Kim Wilson Gets Back to Basics on "Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1" CD, Coming October 20 from Severn Records

Kim Wilson Gets Back to Basics on Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1 CD, Coming October 20 from Severn Records

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Legendary singer/harmonica master Kim Wilson has gone back to the basics and old school Chicago blues for his exciting new CD, Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1, coming October 20 from Severn Records. Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1 was produced by Kim Wilson, with most tracks  recorded and mixed by Nathan James at Sacred Cat Studios, Oceanside, California; except tracks 4 and 15 recorded by Big Jon at Big Tone Recording Studios, Hayward, California.

“I want to tell all of the real blues fans out there what a labor of love this project has been,” Wilson writes in the album’s liner notes. “I’ve been recording many, many tracks for a couple of years now and time has just flown by! A couple of the greatest musicians that ever lived, Richard Innes and Barrelhouse Chuck, have passed away during the process of making this CD. One of their dreams was to see this stuff come out.

“So here it is, the first of many to come. This kind of music is very easy and pleasurable for me to perform. I like to surround myself with musicians who like to ‘fly by the seat of their pants.’ People like Richard and Barrel, Billy Flynn, Big Jon Atkinson, Marty Dodson, Nathan James, Larry Taylor, Malachi Johnson and all of the other fantastic blues musicians who are on this CD. I desired to record songs that I have always wanted to do. However, I have to put my own twist on everything.”

The track list includes several Kim Wilson originals that fit like a hand-in-glove along with the deep blues songbook he delved into for the new disc, including tunes by Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Elmore James, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Rogers, Magic Sam and Jimmy Reed.    

A founding member of the legendary Fabulous Thunderbirds and a multiple Blues Music Award winner as a solo artist, Wilson salutes many of his Chicago blues roots influences – in particular his harmonica mentors such as Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson and especially James Cotton – on Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1. It’s music that is both timely and timeless.  

“I’m dedicating this CD to my big brother, James Cotton,” Wilson says. “He has always been a great inspiration and a dear friend. When I was a kid, having a great time with all of the masters of this music, I never dreamt I would be living in a world without them. Every time I open my mouth to sing or pick up my instrument to play I am doing it for them! There are hundreds of tracks in the can and still recording, and I really believe that this period of time is the beginning of my legacy. I could never have done it without my family of masters who invented this music and the musicians who are on this CD. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it!”

Kim Wilson and The Fabulous Thunderbirds are managed by Glen Parrish of GP Entertainment.

1. Bonus Boogie - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Big Jon Atkinson, Bob Welsh; Bass: Troy Sandow; Drums: Malachi Johnson

2. No Love in My Heart - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitar: Nathan James; Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck; Bass: Big Jon Atkinson; Drums: Richard Innes; horns: Jonny Viau

3. Ninety Nine - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Big Jon Atkinson, Nathan James; Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck; Drums: Richard Innes

4. Worried Life Blues - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Billy Flynn, Big Jon Atkinson; Bass: Kadar Roy; Drums: Marty Dodson

5. You Upset My Mind - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Big Jon Atkinson, Nathan James; Drums: Marty Dodson

6. Teenage Beat - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Billy Flynn, Big Jon Atkinson; Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck; Bass: Larry Taylor; Drums: Richard Innes

7. Same Old Blues - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitar: Billy Flynn; Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck; Bass: Larry Taylor; Drums: Richard Innes; horns: Jonny Viau

8. Searched All Over - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Billy Flynn, Big Jon Atkinson; Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck; Bass: Larry Taylor

9. From the Bottom - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Big Jon Atkinson, Nathan James; Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck; Bass: Larry Taylor; Drums: Richard Innes

10. Look Whatcha Done - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Bob Welsh, Big Jon Atkinson; Bass: Troy Sandow; Drums: Malachi Johnson

11. Blue and Lonesome - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Big Jon Atkinson, Nathan James; Drums: Marty Dodson

12. Sho Nuf I Do - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitar: Big Jon Atkinson; Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck; Bass: Nathan James; Drums: Richard Innes; horns: Jonny Viau

13. Learn to Treat Me Right – vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Billy Flynn, Big Jon Atkinson; Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck; Bass: Larry Taylor; Drums: Richard Innes

14. Edgier vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Big Jon Atkinson, Nathan James; Bass: Nathan James; Drums: Marty Dodson

15. Mean Old Frisco - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Big Jon Atkinson, Nathan James; Bass: Kadar Roy; Drums: Marty Dodson

16. You’re the One - vocals & harmonica: Kim Wilson; Guitars: Big Jon Atkinson, Nathan James; Drums: Marty Dodson