Two very familiar names Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite released their first-ever album as a duo, ‘100 Years of Blues‘ on September 25th this year on the wonderful Alligator Records. Both men of course have had long and rich musical careers spanning 7 decades now if we include this awful one that most would rather forget.
The best thing about ‘100 Years of Blues’ is the nice raw authentic feel to what come across as a wonderfully loose and spontaneous session, though it’s not a covers record – including as it does amongst the 12 tracks 9 new collaborations along with covers of Roosevelt Sykes, Leroy Carr and Sonny Boy Williamson.
The idea for the collaboration dates back to 2017 when the pair laid down the original version of the title track for Bishop’s ‘Big Fun Trio’ record, it worked so well it led to some stripped down shows in 2019 with Bob Welsh, and it’s a partnership that works wonderfully well here.
Bob is back for this record along with Kid Anderson (who produced) on double-bass, and from opener ‘Birds of a Feather’ you know you’re onto a winner – it’s aloud, in-your-face rocker with a huge groove. It’s followed by Charlie’s wonderful harp on a song I wasn’t familiar with – Roosevelt Sykes’ ‘West Helena Blues’ which is a rich slow Country-tinged ramble.”
The rest of the album honestly is just as impressive as that opening pair with ‘Good Times’ sporting some lovely slide from Charlie and a wonderful pared-down cover of Sonny Boy Williamson’s ‘Help Me’ adding a wry smile. I’m also digging ‘Midnight Hour Blues’ and the wonderful ‘South Side Slide’ as well as that closer that started it all ”100 Years of Blues’ a very fitting way to end.
Two greats in a room, it couldn’t get better for Blues in 2020
8/10
