Beetcafe.com
rockford illinois entertainment guide
Date: 03/08/2006
Watermelon Slim - Watermelon Slim & The Workers
Northern Blues © 2006
www.watermelonslim.com
Reviewed by Lisa Palmeno
lpalmeno@sbcglobal.net
Rating:
out of

Watermelon Slim's interjected phrases and words are both homey and apt on the debut album of Watermelon Slim & The Workers (Northern Blues Music). The CD was a 2005 W.C. Handy Award nominee for Best New Artist Debut. Chip Eagle, publisher of Blues Review and BluesWax, says "This guy is the real deal!" Real Blues Magazine also endorsed the former trucker/watermelon farmer/Master of Arts in History, noting his 2005 release as the "#1 Southern Blues CD of the Year."

 

Known for the power and captivity of his live performances, Slim and producer Chris Wick opted for a live sound for the recording. They attribute the "natural" quality of the CD to the use of room mics rather than close-up mics. The desired effect was achieved: The deliveries are all very blues-club authentic and uncorrupted, from the very first song, "Hard Times" to the refreshingly-original ""Eau De Boue."A slow, methodic slide guitar introduces Slim's unmistakable southern accent, and the meaning of "Hard Times" is emphasized by steely, moaning strings.

 

With 14 tracks in all, Slim gets the chance to cover a variety of tempos and moods. "Dumpster Blues" is strolling blues with plenty of high hat on the drums and a partying, danceable groove. Slim's harmonica promenades Big Joe Williams' standard "Baby Please Don't Go" down the lane. "Devil's Cadillac" uses the stretched slide style and fox trot beat typical of many American westerns to depict a man making the infamous "deal with the devil."

 

"Check Writing Woman" lightens things up with rock n' roll and a comical theme about a man traveling all over Oklahoma to track down his checks. The harmonica breaks in with the freight train technique on the last verse, and starts out the instrumental "Possum Hand" with broad, simple strokes.

 

Slim sings about "those country blues" in "Frisco Line" and pays tribute to blues legends Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, John Lee Hooker, and B.B. King on "Eau De Boue," sung completely in French.

 

Slim's expression of his love of the blues is earnest and sincere as he performs lead vocals, harp, dobro and slide guitar on this one-of-a-kind recording. The Workers who help Slim get the job done are: Michael Newberry (drums, backing vocals, percussion); Ike Lamb (electric & acoustic guitars, backing vocals); Cliff Belcher (electric bass guitar, backing vocals); Dennis Borycki (piano); and Chris Wick (electric bass on "Frisco Line"). With the main players filling so many positions, it's no wonder Slim calls them the "workers."  A complete and original marriage of the blues and country, this debut album is an example of hillbilly music at its best.

 

Other CDs by Watermelon Slim:

 

Merry Airbrakes, 1973

Big Shoes to Fill, 2002

Up Close and Personal, 2003

 

For more information about Watermelon Slim & The Workers, visit www.watermelonslim.com.

 

Publicity:

Crows Feet Productions, Michael McClune, Info: 310-546-3630 or michael@crowsfeet.biz

Booking Agency:

Intrepid Artists

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