Blues as we all know is an old man’s game, always has been and always will be. Somebody just better let Christone “Kingfish” Ingram know that as this 20 year old from Clarksdale, MS seems to be ignoring the rules. Indeed I’d go as far to say that he might just have produced the Blues album of the year.
If like me you’re a fan of the Delta Blues then you’re in for a treat as ‘Kingfish’ is full of that raw and primal sound and it’s all the work of Ingram and producer Tom Hambridge.
Opening with one of the best here ‘Outside of This Town’ the vocal and guitar work are stunning from the off and there’s a lovely deep and heavy groove that just rolls over you.
The guests here are stellar and well utilised – Buddy Guy lends vocals and guitar to ‘Fresh Out’ a nice Chicago rocker, sharing solos and vocals. It’s a great song, but it’s the influence of the other guest – Keb Mo that really catches your ear – guesting on guitar on the boogie ‘If You Love Me;’ and the acoustic ‘Love Ain’t My Favourite Word’ – a wonderful slow Blues that I think has Ingram’s best solo here.
Mo also surfaces later on the mid-paced ‘Listen’ that features a great dual vocal, and the wonderful electric ‘Before I’m Old’ another great song brimming with solos. The best of his contributions though just might be the slow Blues ‘Believe these Blues’ and his guitar work on the acoustic ‘Hard Times’ where he puts the resonator to wonderful use.
The remainder of the album is a similarly lush mix. ‘It Ain’t Right’ is a powerful song, ‘Trouble’ adds a varied beat and piano; and ‘Been Here Blues’ has some great picking and piano too. It all concludes with another slower number ‘That’s Fine By Me’ that really showcases the man behind the guitar. This is a stunningly good debut. How good will this guy be when he gets old!
