PINETOP PERKINS
Live at 85 (Shanachie)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Pinetop Perkins' celebrated his 85 birthday two years ago by sharing the stage at a small New Jersey tavern with George Kilby, Jr. and the Coolerators. Together, they kicked out 10 great jams of live Chicago-style blues. That's top-shelf blues in the tradition of Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon and Otis Spann. From the loose boogie of Elmore James' "Look on Yonder's Wall" to the sultry swagger of Willie Dixon's "Hoochie Coochie Man," a song that Pinetop played for most of the 1970's alongside Muddy Waters. Age hasn't slowed Pinetop: just listen to how his both hands boogie on "Down in Mississippi" or how he leads the band through the lazy and slow shuffle of "Ida B." George Kilby, Jr. and the Coolerators are up to the challenge, too. They're a great band that hangs tight with Pinetop, whenever he ambles around and around some of the most familiar blues ever written. Pinetop's been touring with Big Bill Morganfield: if you can't catch him live, pick up Live at 85. A must for Chicago blues fans.

Track List:

Chicken Shack * Just A Little Bit * High Heel Sneakers * Look on Yonder's Wall * How Long * Down in Mississippi * Ida B. * Kidney Stew * Hoochie Coochie Man * Hold It

© 2000 - Eric Steiner