Heritage Blues Orchestra "And Still I Rise" (USA) 

 

The front cover of "And Still I Rise" has 3 of the 10 individuals that make up this extraordinary group, from left to right, Bill Sims Jr., Chaney Sims, and Junior Mack. Bill Sims Jr. and Chaney Sims are father and daughter and each share in the heritage of "slaves, sharecroppers and music makers from Georgia, Florida and Ohio ". Bill Sims Jr., was actually born and raised by a sharecropping family. Junior Mack is a self taught musician whom starting playing Guitar at the age of 9 with his early influence being the 5 Blind Boys Of Alabama. Together along with the other 7 musicians which also includes the Legendary Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith on Drums and Percussion, "And Still I Rise" bring us not only one of the rarest treats for Blues lovers of 2012, but one of the rarest treats seen for quite a while.

 

Heritage Blues Orchestra consists of 12 Tracks of absolutely compelling Blues, which dig deep into the rich soil of America's Blues Heritage. Half of the Tracks are Traditional songs with the other half running an amazing gauntlet of songs and compositions by the Legends Son House, McKinley Morganfield (Muddy Waters), H. Ledbetter (Lead Belly), Junior Mack, Alan Lomax, Eric C. Bibb, Charlotte E. Hoglund, and Winston Stewart.

 

"And Still I Rise" opens with Son House's "Clarksdale Moan", and introduces us to Junior Mack's powerful interpretation of this 1930's classic. In addition to Junior Mack we are also introduced to the hypnotic beat of Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith that he provides on "Clarksdale Moan" and throughout this album. Also adding to the magic of "Clarksdale Moan", is the Horn section, which consists of Bruno Wilhelm, Kenny Rampton, Steve Wiseman, and Clark Gayton. The sound and the way the Horns section weaves in and out of this album is nothing less than astonishing. Vincent Bucher also gets in on the action with his amazing Harmonica work, that he peppers not only throughout this tasty morsel, but throughout the album, as well.

 

"C-Line Woman", introduces the amazing Vocals of Chaney Sims as she powers her way through this Traditional song, accompanied by the steady beat of Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith and the Tuba playing of Clark Gayton. Additional lyrics, for "C-Line Woman", were written by Bill Sims Jr.

 

"Big-Legged Woman", Track 3, is another great Traditional tune and features a nice Harmonica Solo courtesy of Vincent Bucher.

 

Bill Sims, Jr., really kicks it into high gear with the Muddy Waters tune,"Catfish Blues". I have listened to quite a few versions of "Catfish Blues", and this version holds its own with the best of them. A little faster Tempo and a little more intense.

 

"Go Down Hannah", Track 5, was probably the most powerful song on "And Still I Rise", done mainly in the tradition of Call and Response, and leads beautifully into the Traditional Gospel Track "Get Right Church", in which we are treated to a heavenly three part harmony.

 

Track 10, "Levee Camp Holler", a song written by Alan Lomax, and Winston Stewart, digs deep into the roots of the Blues. No instruments on this one folks, just the majestic voice of Bill Sims, Jr., transporting us back to the Prison Camps days of the 40's.

 

“Hard Times", is the closing Track on "And Still I Rise" and by all accounts is certainly the most epic Track on this album and not just because it is the longest Track. The Tracks start off with some brilliant Guitar Picking and Chaney Sims singing, which is harmonized throughout with the other singers joining in. As her part fades out the Horn Section fades in, as if out of nowhere, beautifully arranged, as with the rest of the album, by Bruno Wilhelm. For the last 2 minutes, or so, of “Hard Times" the Guitars once again come out and provide a raucous ending to this gem of an album.

 

"And Still I Rise" was for me, an extremely refreshing take on the Blues rich past, and although I appreciate those of you whom have taken the time to read this review, I would of probably liked it better if you had just used the time to get yourself hold of a copy of this extraordinarily good album.

 

"And Still I Rise" enthusiastically gets my highest rating of 5*****, but I really wish I had a higher rating for it, as it certainly deserves more than my rating and my words can really do justice to.

 

Highly Recommended & Thoroughly Enjoyed... The best release, so far for 2012 and I really don't believe anyone else can top it.

 

Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)

http://www.bluesundergroundnetwork.com/

 

 

Listen To Samples Here...

 

Additional Artist Info... http://heritagebluesorchestra.com/

 

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