Billy Boy ARNOLD - Boogie 'N' Shuffle 1999

Billy Boy ARNOLD - Boogie 'N' Shuffle 1999

Blues

When I write reviews on some of the lesser known greats such as Mojo Buford, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, and Billy Boy Arnold, I feel like I am shouting from a deserted island far from ear shot. That feeling is reinforced when I see a sales rank of 223,648. Oh well, here goes.
Billy Boys new release is produced by Duke Robillard and Robillard and his band perform all of the back up music for the CD. The CD is a good combination of originals, some new some old, as well as a sprinkling of lesser known cover tunes from Ray Charles, "BlackJack" and "Greenback", Jimmy McCrackin, "Just Got To Know" and "Every Night Every Day", and T-Bone Walker.
As you might expect, Robillards band is in top form. The CD has everything from a little swing "Lets Work It out" to soulful blues "Just Got To Know" to a little boogie "Boogie and Shuffle".
The CD won't appeal much to fans of Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Stevie Ray Vaughan or any of the other blues/rock greats and that's a shame because this is the very music that got those greats interested in the blues. On the other hand, if you like Jimmy Rogers, Muddy Waters, James Cotton, the Wolf or any of the three Kings, this CD should be in your collection.
By Deepbluereview.
**
Arnold has moved from Alligator to Canada for this new release. An important figure from the early Chicago blues scene, the 'Gator crowd released a couple of powerful recordings, with some strong performers behind him. Stony Plain have another ace up there sleeve, and have the Duke Robillard band backing Arnold.
With Duke's talents as an arranger and his chameleon-like ability to find the right sound to fit with whoever he is supporting (he's done Jimmy Witherspoon and Wes Montgomery, for example!), this album was a sure fire winner.
If you haven't found Billy Boy Arnold yet, I suggest you do. He is a great song writer, good singer and harp player. He blows harp how it used to be, in support of the vocal, doesn't overdo the soloing and adds just the right amount of colour.
This recording features some new material, such as "Bad Luck Blues" and covers, at least one of which, "Just Got To Know", Arnold has recorded before.
These recordings are a good showcase for Arnold's vocal ability and his song writing skills.
**
Billy Boy Arnold- (Vocals, Harmonica);
Duke Robillard- (Guitar);
Matt McCabe- (Piano);
Doug James- (Baritone Saxophone);
Gordon Beadle- (Saxophone);
John Packer- (Bass);
Jeffery McCallister- (Drums).
**
01. Bad Luck Blues  3.19
02. Let's Work It Out  3.07
03. Just Got to Know  5.07
04. Greenville   4.36
05. Hello Stranger  2.50
06. Home in Your Heart  2.29
07. Blackjack  5.34
08. Boogie & Shuffle  6.20
09. Every Night, Every Day  3.47
10. Come Here Baby  3.46
11. Just Your Fool  3.57
12. Greenback  5.43
13. Interview  15.28
**
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