I give this CD, my highest rating, Five *****
Excellent CD...  Thoroughly enjoyed it...  Highly Recommended...

There is truly no other artist that I look forward to listening to their newest CD's more than Watermelon Slim. From his debut self-titled blues release to his newest release, "Escape From The Chicken Coop", his voice, his music, and his lyrics have thoroughly captivated me. 

With "Escape From The Chicken Coop", Watermelon tilts his steering wheel slightly towards a country style, paying homage to the truck driver and the truck driving lifestyle, and doing so with an ease you would only have expected from a seasoned country singer.

Being a huge fan of Watermelon Slim's style of blues, I was a little concerned as to how he would come across in the more country feel "Escape From The Chicken Coop". I of course should have known better, because his slight departure from blues to lightly country, seems as natural as the dew found on blades of grass on a summer morning. In fact I don't believe that there is any performer out there today that could of pulled off what Watermelon did, as seamlessly as he did.

Fans of Watermelon Slim will not be running away because of his slight departure, in fact, after listening to "Escape From The Chicken Coop", they will be actually running towards him and bringing more fans with them.

John Vermilyea Blues Underground Network

Other Reviews and Info

“Watermelon Slim incarnates the deepest and truest roots of American music. Combine Jimmie Rodgers, the Carter Family & Bob Wills with Blind Lemon, Sonny Boy Williamson and Wilson Pickett—and you have Slim—a one of a kind pickin’ & singin’ Okie dynamo.”
-Jerry Wexler, Legendary Producer

Escape from the Chicken Coop features the best musicians in Nashville, and was recorded at the same studio as O Brother, Where Art Thou? Two songs were co-written with Gary Nicholson, who writes a lot of songs for Delbert McClinton (who came in to watch Slim record in Nashville).

Watermelon Slim (real name Bill Homans), the most decorated bluesman of the 21st century, is returning with a new album August 4 recorded in Nashville called Escape From The Chicken Coop.

Escape From The Chicken Coop finds Slim changing directions a bit from his previous three albums (Watermelon Slim & The Workers, The Wheel Man, and No Paid Vacations). He's working with musicians outside of his regular band, The Workers. He's also taken his sound a little more in the country direction, working and co-writing with Gary Nicholson. Nicholson has worked often with Delbert McClinton and recently with Buddy Guy. Slim has often written about the time spent as a truck driver, and that becomes the central focus for Escape From The Chicken Coop. The Coop sessions yielded 21 songs, from which 13 were chosen for the album.  http://blogcritics.org/

Track Listing

1. Caterpillar Whine
2. Skinny Women and Fat Cigars
3. You See Me Like I See You
4. Wreck On The Highway
5. Friends On The Porch
6. Should I Have Done More
7. Hank Williams You Wrote My Life
8. America's Wives
9. The Way I Am
10. It's Never Too Hard To Be Humble
11. 300 Miles
12. Truck Drivin' Blues
13. 18, 18 Wheeler

About Watermelon Slim

Bill Homans, a.k.a. “Watermelon Slim” is one of the most intriguing bluesmen out there. Watermelon Slim first appeared on the music scene in the early 1970s as the only Vietnam veteran to record a full length LP during the war.

In subsequent years, Slim played with a variety of famous blues stars, but only recently has he become a full-time bluesman.

Less than six months after leaving his last truck driving job, hauling industrial waste, Slim was making a living as a full-time touring bluesman. The decision was predominantly the result of a nearly fatal heart attack, and the renewed perspective on mortality that followed. Logically, why drive industrial waste around Oklahoma to dispose of when one can drive band mates around the US to play music and entertain?

Now that Slim has received a record sixteen Blues Music Award nominations in the United States, he is the new ‘King of the Blues’.

Watermelon Slim - Smokestack Lightening

http://www.watermelonslim.com/

http://www.myspace.com/watermelonslim