This is great Blues. If you love Bernie’s playing and love vintage Blues then this is for you. Chess might just be the best so far in the ‘Inspirations Series’ which is an ongoing sequence of albums released by Conquest Music where Bernie Marsden pays tribute to those whose music shaped his taste and guitar playing.
The album features 10 tracks that were originally released on Chess by greats such as Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Howlin’ Wolf , Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters & Elmore James. There are also two Bernie Marsden-penned instrumentals that appear as bonus tracks on the album. ‘Chess’ was recorded ‘the old way’: with a band of truly gifted musicians, all in one room, over a handful of days. It’s led to a subtle, tasteful and a superbly delivered reimagining of these classic songs.
If you love Chicago Blues then you really can’t go past this and it’s wonderful to think that the ‘Inspirations Series’ was sparked by a backstage conversation with Z.Z. Top’s Billy Gibbons about influences and heroes.
Pick of the pack for me are the Chuck Berry staple ‘Back in the USA’, Muddy Water’s ‘I’m Ready’ and Howlin’ Wolf’s ‘Whose Been Talking’’ but I’ll also add two tracks new to me – the wonderful Little Milton ditty ‘Grits Ain’t Groceries’ is so cool and the funky ‘Fattening Frogs For Snakes’ by Sonny Boy Williamson a wonderful song and one that feels familiar yet with a title like that is unforgettable! This is an album of course dominated by guitar but also with some wonderful Hammond really accentuating the feel.
It’s interesting that when normally reviewing an album you tend to focus on the highs and lows but honesty here with the material and the musicians involved this is just a joy from start to finish. The two new instrumentals come right at the end – ‘Lester’ and ‘Johnny’ see Bernie work his Les Paul beuutfully to really add some more value to an already priceless collection.
‘Chess’ the follow up to the Blues chart-topping, ‘Kings’ is available on all digital platforms along with a Special Limited Edition Digipak CD accompanied by a 16-page booklet.
TRACK LISTING: 1. Just Your Fool | 2. Back In The USA | 3. Grits Ain’t Groceries | 4. I’m Ready | 5. You Can’t Judge A Book | 6. I Can’t Hold Out | 7. Won’t Be Hanging Around | 8. Fattening Frogs For Snakes | 9. That’s Alright | 10. Who’s Been Talking | 11. Lester | 12. Johnny
8/10
The Band: Guitar & Vocals: Bernie Marsden | Bass Guitar: John Gordon | Drums: Jim Russell | Keyboards: Bob Haddrell | Harmonica: Alan Glen
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