CD Review
Watermelon Slim and The Workers -
The Wheel Man
The much-anticipated follow-up to Watermelon Slim’s breakthrough release is finally here. The Wheel Man was released on April 17 and I for one am thrilled to finally get my paws on it. I was very curious to hear, for myself, if this very hot blues man was going to sustain the momentum he created with his critically acclaimed 2006 release, Watermelon Slim and The Workers, or if he had shot his proverbial blues wad. I am ecstatic to report that it is the former and not that latter. I LOVE this CD.
Before we get started, I must mention that Mr. Slim gets a little help from the legendary Chicago blues man, Magic Slim and piano great David Maxwell throughout the CD.
The album opens with the title track. This is a straightforward effort about crime, which features a nice guitar duet with Magic Slim. There’s nothing special here, although I am slapped in the face by Slim’s unique vocal style and am reminded why I fell in love with his music. I actually get jealous when I hear my new blues hero sing. I just cannot imagine having the ability to sound the way Slim does. His enunciation is impeccable and painful all at the same time.
Next comes the hard swinging “I’ve Got News For You”. We get to hear some nice harp work and a very Gene Taylor-esque piano solo (I think only Bubba will get that reference). “Black Water” offers a menacing feel as Slim bemoans, as only he can, about life’s troubles and sorrows.
“Jimmy Bell” gives a gospel feel and we get to hear only Slim sing and play the harp. Oh yes, there is also a bass drum thumping along. I listen to this track and can actually feel the dust from the Oklahoma plains collecting in my teeth as Slim testifies on a broken down porch in the middle of God’s country.
“Drinking and Driving” takes me to the juke joints as we hear Slim give his message about the evils of drinking and driving. In typical blues style he uses the topic as a metaphor for love. I can’t help but think about Gary Rossington and Allen Collins and the song “That Smell”. Granted, there is no similarity in song style or melody, but the message is the same.
It is never my intent to give you a blow-by-blow analysis of the entire release. Why would I do that? I WANT you to want this CD. It’s THAT good. The CD contains fourteen songs in total and runs over forty-seven minutes long. Each track offers a unique style and there is very little repetition.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the final track, “Judge Harsh Blues”. This is a classic mix of vocal and slide that sends chills down your spine and makes you really want to earn the right to play the blues.
There is nobody out there today that sells it like Watermelon Slim and The Workers. I see this release being in The Kitchen for years to come. If you have ANY interest in the blues, get it.
04.19.07