2009-10-19
The Mississippi Sheiks were one of the most popular blues groups of the 1930s, centered around the duo of Walter Vinson and Lonnie Chatmon (with other members, mainly Lonnie's brothers Sam and Armenter). The Shieks' most famous tune, "Sittin' on Top of the World," has been recorded by everyone from Howlin' Wolf to Bob Dylan to Jack White. Canadian musician Steve Dawson assembles a predominately Canadian line-up of guests in this set to give the Sheiks' catalog either a straightforward or fresh delivery. The North Mississippi All-Stars get things rocking from the get-go with "It's Backfirin' Now" and there are solid entries from Bruce Cockburn, Kelly Joe Phelps and the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Two women on this disc deliver the best renditions: Madeline Peyroux's sultry "Please Baby" and the relatively unknown Ndidi Onukwulu on the title track. A great set and a fitting tribute to an important, yet overlooked, blues legacy group. Michael J. 10/09 B-Roots (Delta)BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA
TAKE THE HIGH ROAD
JAMES BLOOD ULMER
Bad Blood in the City: The Piety Street Sessions
TIP OF THE TOP
From Memphis to Greaseland
SCOTT RAMMINGER
DO WHAT YOUR HEART SAYS TO
CAROLYN WONDERLAND
PEACE MEAL
BIG AL JANO
Some of My Best Friends Have the Blues
The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.