Chick Willis: I Did It All! (CML Records)

 Chick Willis will forever be linked to his ribald classic "Stoop Down Baby Let Your Daddy See" that unfortunately seems to have overshadowed just about everything else he's done which is a shame. Willis has soldiered on issuing fine, if unheralded, records for a number of labels and "I Did It All!", on his own label, ranks among his best.

 Stoop Down Baby Let Your Daddy See" cut in 1972 for tiny La Val Records was Willis' meal ticket, selling a ton of 45's for the jukebox market (the tune's lyrics were way too raunchy for airplay). While he's cut countless sequels he's also waxed a number of strong albums, most notably a long run at Ichiban resulting in six albums and more recently the terrific "From the Heart and Soul" on Rock House. Willis' is also known for his outrageously entertaining stage shows which of course includes a lengthy version of  "Stoop Down Baby" where Willis roams through the crowd riffing hilariously on various audience members while incorporating it in the song. For "I Did It All!" Willis is up to his old tricks with a batch of raunchy originals (the CD has a parental warning sticker), a crack band and some fabulous guitar work all expertly produced by Willis himself.

 Willis resides in the same realm as soul-blues singers like Bobby Rush, Roy C, Artie White and Latimore who have never quite crossed over and who's core audience still resides in the so called chitlin' circuit. Willis' music still retains a gritty, soulful chitlin' circuit vibe with one foot firmly planted in the blues and sings the kind of songs that really connect with the audience. All those talents are in evidence on "I Did It All!" featuring a dozen exceptionally strong and risque originals, soulful vocals and more guitar work than he's played on record in some time. Backing Willis' is a tight little band complete with a couple of horns and a trio of fine background singers including Zakiya Hooker the daughter of John Lee. We get two versions of the irresistibly catchy "I Did It All", a radio version and the dirtier version. Willis references raunchy numbers like Theodis Easley's "Stand Up In It" and Barbara Carr's "Bone Me Like You Own Me" and one ups them all as he tells them in detail that he's done it all, "from the front to the back" and "from the east to the west" plus a few other ways to boot. Willis mines similar territory on the bouncy "I Love You Sweetheart" ("You know if we was hound dogs/And we was all alone/I'd share my kibble and bits/And let you nibble on my bone") and the equally racy "I Like It Like That" ("I'm not the door man/I'm door man's son/But I'll let you polish my knob till' the door man comes") which is basically an updated version the ribald classic "All Around Man" done as far back as the 30's by the equally salacious Bo Carter. Willis shows off his clean, stinging fret work on the loping "Easy Blues", the autobiographical "Little Old Blues Man" and "You Can't Run" as Willis melds the blues with touch of gospel. An added bonus is a ten minute video of Willis playing live that's playable in either Mac or PC.

 Chick Willis indeed does it all on his new record; a good dose of soul, a good dose of blues, plenty of great guitar work a batch of exceptional songs. "I Did It All!" is easily one of the best records you'll hear this year and well worth tracking down.

-Check out these related links:
Meneagerie Talent Agency

(Jeff Harris)

George Hughley: Nothing But The Blues
(Roya Records)  

 Last month we reviewed a great new CD by soul veteran Roy C and this month we spotlight another soul survivor, George Hughley. "Nothing But The Blues" released on the Roya label showcases Hughley's incredible vocals on a soul drenched blues outing.

  George Hughley's been at it almost as long as Roy C and his 1960's/1970's singles are held in high regard by soul aficionados. Hughley first hit for King Records back in 1960 with "What Did I Do" followed by notable numbers like "It Hurts Me Too" and a pair of hits for Buddah in 1971 with "That's Why I Cry" and "You Are My Everything." Hughley has cut some more recent albums that have largely slipped under the radar. "Nothing But The Blues" is a knockout performance that finds Hughley in great form backed by a tough band featuring top notch songs.

 Hughley takes a tough bluesy approach on his new album reminiscent of the soulful blues style of W.C. Clark. He sings the blues with amazing passion with a huge soulful voice that often breaks into an upper register squall and makes plenty of spoken asides - simply put he sounds like he's having himself a ball. Backing Hughley is a hard driving blues band featuring some blistering guitar work by Rick Hinkle who's graced albums by Howard Tate, Trudy Lynn, Marcia Ball, Jerry McCain as well as having several albums out under his own name. Hinkle also wrote the bulk of the material which is all top drawer stuff. Things kick off with the strutting, funky "Get These Blues" continuing through tough minded fare like the shuffling "She'll Be Back", the blazing "Sing Like BB" and the down home "Dinner Bell." Hughley shows off his southern soul roots on vintage sounding soul numbers like the aching "Lonley Street" and especially the stunning deep soul ballad "Something Is Worrying My Baby" reminiscent of the great James Carr.

  George Hughley is a vocalist of the highest caliber and both blues and soul fans alike will want to check out his smoking "Nothing But The Blues." There's no shortage of blues and soul musicians from the early years who continue to resurface but rarely with the chops of George Hughley.

-Check out these related links:
Roya Records Store

(Jeff Harris)