(Review by Lance)Regarded by many as London's top contemporary blues band which, some may argue, means the UK's number 1, Doc Bowling and his Professors do nothing to change that view with this vinyl offering (also available on CD and download).
This isn't one of those "Well I woke up this mornin' bands" although they obviously did. The material, however, is more in tune with today with the overall feel being an appeal for racial integration.
Cosmopolitan Soul: A funky pulse with JB Horns style brass and a blistering sax solo from Fox.
She Noh Nah: Fox blows again here. The feel is of early Manfred Mann and some paintstripping trumpet from Braun takes it out.
Black White and Blue: Another plea for equality from the Doc with some fancy feline fiddlin'.
MLK was a Trekkie: MLK - Martin Luther King - explores the universe on the Starship Enterprise...
Hitler's Favourite Cowboy:.. and if you thought the last title was bizarre... That old country favourite Ghost Riders in the Sky provides the melody for this one. To think Hitler's favourite author (Karl May) wrote westerns. Not only that - he was a pacifist!
Stop and Search Yourself: A counterblast to the overuse of police powers on top of the Elmore James riff appropriated by Fleetwood Mac.
The Loving Blues: A jaunty country blues that bounces along beneath the more serious and, ultimately law-changing story of a mixed race married couple in Virginia who were jailed for being married to each other. This was actually based around the true story of Richard and Mildred Loving whose case was heard by the US Supreme Court resulting in interracial marriage no longer being seen as a criminal act - even in Virginia.
Blue Mambo: A dancy, Latin 12 bar with solos from the horns of Johannes Sahmland Bowling and Laurent Dumoulin.
High Speed Train Blues: Paradoxically a mega slow lament based on Leroy Carr's How Long Blues relocated to Kings Cross. Blues drenched Hammond B3 and wailing guitar remain faithful to the original but we, the listeners/travellers, are still waiting for HS2.
Laius' Lament: Not many blues deal with the Oedipus complex and those (if any!) that do aren't usually recited in BBC announcer's English. Strange? Yes, but the quasi Oxford accent only adds to its quirky appeal.
The Blue Waltz: Based on Leadbelly's Irene Goodnight it's also a personal expression of love by Doc B.
The final line says it all: So, while we still have breath, we just have to keep dancing.
A great band - let somebody put up the Thunderbird wine, a couple of '57 pick-up trucks, a fistful of dollars and bring 'em north of the Johnson-Corbyn Line.
Lance
Doc Bowling (guitar, vocals, harmonica); Donnie Burke (lead/baritone/slide guitars, banjo, backing vocals); Simon Minney (bass, backing vocals); Roger Chapman (drums - 8 tracks -, percussion, backing vocals) + Graham Hadley (drums - 3 tracks); Louie Watson (percussion, backing vocals); Susi Sahmland (backing vocals); Sophie Loyer* (violin); Johannes Sahmland Bowling (alto/tenor sax - 4 tracks); Rainer Fox (alto/baritone sax - 2 tracks); Martin Sander, Frank Braun, Laurent Dumoulin (trumpet on various tracks); Jens Skwirblies (Hammond - 2 tracks); Eddie Kulak (piano - 3 tracks); Kenny Bruno (piano - 1 track); Melania Wicks (voiceover - 1 track).
* Aka Mlle Chat Noir.
* Aka Mlle Chat Noir.
1 comment :
And who can resist a CD review like this! I've just ordered one - available from CDBaby!
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