A native of Duncan, Mississippi, guitarist/vocalist Eddie C. Campbell is one of the last of the originators of the West Side sound of Chicago blues still performing in their prime. Campbell began his recording career with a handful of singles in the sixties, but the record that put him on the blues map was King of the Jungle (Mr. Blues, 1977). Tear This World Up is Campbell's debut for Delmark Records and a sizzling set of funky blues served up Chicago-style.
Campbell plays wild, open-ended guitar solos that swing hard and stay true to a down home blues feeling. His sound is enhanced with plenty of reverb and vibrato, reminiscent of Johnny "Guitar" Watson, especially on the disc's two instrumental tracks, "It's So Easy" and "All Nite." The latter, a remake of a 45 Campbell recorded in the 60s, is an ultra-hip jump blues—one of many on the recording—featuring the solid boogie piano playing of Karl "Little Daddy" Outten.
The guitarist pays tribute to his friend, and fellow West Side innovator, the late Magic Sam on Sam's "Easy Baby" and "Love Me With a Feeling." Here Campbell digs in deep to capture the emotional qualities of Sam's signature guitar and vocal styling. Campbell also pays homage to another giant of Chicago blues past, Howlin' Wolf, on Wolf's 12/8 grinder "My Last Affair."
Straight-forward shuffles like "Tie Your Time Up" and "Vibrations in the Air" showcase Campbell's comforting vocal delivery; a warm growl with the occasional falsetto and drawn-out moan. These qualities give credence to his story telling lyrics which offer first-hand accounts of the life of a seasoned blues musician.
The tight horn section of trumpeter Chuck Parrish, tenor saxophonist Sam Burckhardt and baritone saxophonist Juli Wood bring a punchy vibe to a handful of tunes. Drummer Marty Binder and bassist Dario Golliday keep each groove tight and crisp, rolling along with ease. The rhythm section shines bright on the syncopated funk of "Care."
The disc closes with the autobiographical acoustic track "Bluesman." Here Campbell recites an incomparable list of legendary musicians he's been associated with. With or without such an impressive resume, Tear This World Up offers proof of Campbell being a living blues master.
1. Makin' Popcorn
2. Big World
3. Easy Baby
4. Tie Your Time Up
5. Voodoo
6. Love Me With A Feeling
7. Vibrations In The Air
8. Care
9. It's So Easy
10. My Last Affair
11. I'm Just Your Fool
12. All Nite
13. Summertime
14. Bluesman
Happily, Eddie C. Campbell returned to Chicago after spending a decade entrenched in Europe. His shimmering West Side-styled guitar playing and unusually introspective songwriting have been a breath of fresh air on the Windy City circuit, reuniting the veteran bluesman with fans he left behind in 1984.
Campbell left rural Mississippi for the bright lights of Chicago at age ten, sneaking a peek at Muddy Waters at the 1125 Club soon after he arrived and jamming with his idol when he was only 12. He fell in with some West Side young bloods -- Luther Allison, Magic Sam -- and honed a guitar attack rooted deep in the ringing style. Campbell paid his sideman dues on the bandstand with everyone from Howlin' Wolf and Little Walter to Little Johnny Taylor and Jimmy Reed. Koko Taylor recommended Campbell to Willie Dixon, who hired him as a Chicago Blues All-Star in 1976.
Campbell cut his own debut album, the rousing King of the Jungle, in 1977 for the Steve Wisner's short-lived Mr. Blues logo (now available on Rooster Blues, it includes the guitarist's lighthearted Yuletide perennial "Santa's Been Messin' With the Kid"). But he split the country for calmer European climates, recording a nice 1984 album with a Dutch group, Let's Pick It!, that first came out on Black Magic and now adorns the Evidence catalog.
When Eddie C. Campbell finally returned stateside for the birth of his son, he made up for lost time by gigging steadily around Chicago and making a comeback album for Blind Pig, That's When I Know, that contained some very unforgettable originals. Gonna Be Alright followed in 1999.
Eddie C. finally returns to the studio (with famed producer Dick Shurman) with his killer Delmark debut, Tear This World Up, in 2009. The King of West Side Funk Blues is still in his prime, mesmerizing audiences with his deep blues grooves and distinctive reverb soaked guitar on his trademark purple Fender Jazzmaster, along with his witty original songwriting and powerful stage charisma.
