Neal Pattman: Prison Blues (Cello)

Cootie Stark: Sugar Man (Cello)

  Both Neal Pattman and Cootie Stark are beneficiaries of the Music Maker Relief Foundation which helps improve the lives of forgotten Southern musicians. This mission also includes helping them make music again and assisting them with touring and recording. If you have any reservations as to the success of such a program look no farther then these two wonderful discs.

  Both musicians are second generation bluesmen, both born in the 20's, who learned there trade in the South. In the case of Neal Pattman  there is little biographical information given except a mention that he learned from his father. Indeed Pattman's harmonica playing and vocals have that classic sound that can only come from someone who has been steeped in the blues all his life. He plays joyous, animated harmonica that recalls the "whoopin'" sound of Sonny Terry and an equal amount of country throw in for good measure.

  The CD opens with the driving "Momma Whoopin' Blues" a harmonica showcase that sounds like he's channeling the ghost of Sonny Terry and he literally makes that harp talk. In addition to a number of originals, Pattman brings new life to "Catfish Blues" and "Five Long Years" helped out by Cootie Stark and Taj Mahal who plays piano on the latter song. Other guests include legendary sax man Lee Konitz who provides beautiful backing to the jazzy "Talkin' 'Bout You Baby" that give new meaning to the word cool. Other highlights include "Market Blues" which has a joyful, infectious groove and "Prison Blues" which is a classic prison song that sounds like it could have come from one of the Library of Congress field recordings.

 At 71 years old Cootie Stark is making his recording debut. Just when you thought that discoveries of classic bluesmen were a thing of the past along comes Cootie Stark a living example of the Piedmont blues style whose power appears undiminished. Stark plays wonderful guitar rooted in the classic blues sound of the Carolinas. Stark learned his lessons firsthand from Baby Tate as well as playing the streets of many Southern cities with older bluesman such as Peg Leg Howell, Josh White and Peg Leg Sam. Stark never got the opportunity to record but as evidenced on this record he surely was in their league. This just goes to show that most of the great bluesman never recorded and we should be thankful that this fate did not befall Stark. It was 1997 when Tim Duffy founder of Music Maker discovered him on a street corner playing Fats Domino songs and the rest as they say is history.

  Stark's debut, Sugar Man, is filled with a classic Piedmont blues feel but the music is in no way dated and in his hands sounds vital and timeless. Many of the tracks are backed by a full band  to good effect particularly on the opener "Metal Bottoms" and the spirited good time feel of "Jigroo". As in the Pattman record there is country feel throughout reflecting a time when both country and blues were a lot closer then they are today. In addition to some great guitar showmanship Stark has a powerful vocal that propels his music as he yells shouts of encouragement to himself and his band.

  In an age when the meaning and power of the blues seem to be drowned out by the latest guitar hero or marketing scheme it's releases like these that can restore your faith in the blues.

(Jeff Harris)

Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges: Born to be Blue (Westside)

    Unlike its fellow music partner, country music, where a superstar is created on a daily basis the blues community has very few. B.B King, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy ,Robert Cray and, maybe of late, Joe Louis Walker are the few bluesman who could be considered blues superstars. Well with the proper promotion, and a break here and there Eugene "Hideway" Bridges may be the next blues musician to enter the superstar stratosphere.

  Eugene who was born near New Orleans has come up along the path of so many blues musicians. He started young on the electric guitar, spent his most of his youth singing gospel, and then finally started his own band.

  Frustrated at the small pittance he was getting for his local gigs he decided to try his luck in Europe. While in Paris, Eugene struck it big. An appearance at the 1996 Colne R&B festival created his big break for him and the band, as they were proclaimed "best of the festival".

  "Born To Be Blue", Eugene’s first full length effort on the British Westside/Blueside label is a masterpiece of blues with a touch of soul. Like all true citizens of Louisiana, Eugene has taken his main influences, Sam Cooke and B.B King, and added a little bit of soul, a touch of gospel and a pinch of R&B to create a sound that is all his. Songs like "Good Thang", "Dr. Can You Tell Me", and "Little Boy Blue" are reflective of Eugene’s unique sound. While on songs like "If You Don’t Wanna Love Me" , "Good Times", "A Change Is Gonna Come" and "Born To Be Blue" Eugene displays his ability to pay direct homage, in both his vocal and playing style, to his main influences.

  This is a fresh new record that deserves to be picked up by an American record label. Why such an original fresh new talent as Eugene, has to go all the way across the big pond to get a record deal is beyond me. "Born to Blue" is one of those new release that needs to be searched and played by all lovers of the blues. You’ve heard it here , Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges is bound for blues stardom.

(Dave Moskal)