HUBERT SUMLIN
About Them Shoes (Tone-Cool/Artemis)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Last year, producer Rob Fraboni captured a dream team of a blues pick-up band behind blues guitar legend Hubert Sumlin, and the results shine brightly on a baker's dozen of classic blues songs from Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon, with one original tune from Hubert, "This is the End, Little Girl." Hubert Sumlin is one of the blues' elder statesmen, but he shows no sign of slowing down. He was one of the originals from the Mississippi Delta, and he worked with James Cotton, Howlin' Wolf, Wolf's band Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang - just part of a who's who in Delta blues that has kept Hubert in the blues limelight for five decades. What do Levon Helm, Eric Clapton, David Johansen (the bluesman, not the New York Doll or Mr. Poindexter), James Cotton, and Mudcat Ward do when they join Hubert Sumlin at Showplace Studios? They make blues magic, that's what they do. Back in the day, I saw Muddy, Willie, and the Legendary Blues Band play many of these songs live in Chicago, and Hubert and his guests get it absolutely right on each and every song. About Them Shoes contains some very special moments, like when Paul Oscher is blowing some forceful yet nuanced harp on "Long Distance Call," or when Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin works his guitar magic on "Walking Through the Park." Had I discovered About Them Shoes last year, it would have likely landed on my top-five blues list. Check out Hubert's bio by his friend and blues guitar partner Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin as you listen to About Them Shoes. Bob's short bio is as sharp as his guitar playing, and About Them Shoes tells me the story is far, far from over.

Track List:

I'm Ready * Still A Fool * She's Into Something * Iodine in My Coffee * Look What You've Done * Come Home Baby * Evil * Long Distance Call * The Same Thing * Don't Do No Farther * I Love the Life I Live * Walkin' Through the Park * This is the End, Little Girl

© 2005 - Eric Steiner