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Blues Underground Network |
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Chick Willis "Let The Blues
Speak For Itself"
 Released October 18,
2011
Blues legend Chick Willis is following up his highly-acclaimed previous CD Hit & Run Blues with his true-ist, Blue-ist new album yet. With an album titled Let The Blues Speak For Itself you know you're getting some raw, tough, authentic, traditional back-to-basics blues songs. Special guest and labelmate Travis 'Moonchild' Haddix joins Willis on this new 13-song set of mostly originals featuring Willis' sturdy road band. Though Chick is well-known for cheeky, double-entendre laden songs this new set is his most listener-friendly and most traditional Blues album of his career. While his previous album used horns as a backdrop this time Willis employed Blues harp dynamo 'Louisiana Dan' to give the songs a real vintage Chicago flavor. My Fannie Mae is the best Willie Dixon song Mr. Dixon didn't actually write! Everybody involved in this project set out to create the ''ultimate Chick Willis'' CD and we believe we have. 100% Organic. Real musicians. Real Blues from The Don Of The Blues. Great picking and playing, passionate singing and, yes, some of that Chick Willis humor. We make no secret about our intentions. This album is designed to get Chick Willis all the acclaim he is due. This is the one! Amazon.ca Following Review Courtesy Of Donny Harvey- MuzikReviews.com Chick Willis' Let The Blues Speak For Itself does indeed speak for itself. In terms of the lyrics and thematic material this is good, gritty blues. He puts his feelings right out there, as on “Picture On The Wall,” which could just as easily have been titled “Your Black Draw's.” (If you're not Southern I'll clarify by saying that 'draw's' does not refer to the pull-out storage areas in your dresser). Clearly, he's not a believer in euphemisms. Now the music...“Money Is The Name Of The Game” has a
modern drum groove, and some synthesized orchestra 'hits' that make it a
good head-bobbing song. It's probably the most fun tune on the CD.
“Picture On The Wall” has some of the best guitar work on the album (in
addition to the colorful lyrics). The classic call and response between
the vocals and the guitar is finely done. The tone of the guitar is just
right, and the mix allows it to really cut through the way it should when
it's the featured item of a track. The old standard “Since I Fell For
You,” on the other hand, is pleasant enough to listen to but falls short
of other renditions I've heard. Specifically, even for the blues medium
where such things aren't so important, the vocals wander a little bit in
terms of intonation.
Anyway, there's no doubt in my mind that this is all
heart-felt and sincere music. That almost always makes for an enjoyable
listening experience, and this CD is no exception. I have to say, however,
that it doesn't shine next to classic recordings. I guess I'm saying, if
you love the blues then by all means add this one to your collection. Just
know that it's more good old blues that you're getting, and not anything
ground breaking or really exceptional.
NEW! CHICK WILLIS
MUSIC VIDEO 2011
Listen To Samples Here... Websites...
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