FREDDIE BROOKS
One Little Word (King Ace)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Freddie Brooks is one busy bluesman. No wonder he's gigging 200 dates a year in addition to playing festivals like the House of Blues Harmonica Blowdown or the Taste of Orange County. I'm glad his debut disc is a strong one. The cool West Coast blues of "Death Row Blues" or "Pale Hearted Woman" are right on the mark and the slow, languid "Jigsaw Puzzle" makes me sweat like Florida would in the summer. While he's blowing cool on "So Damn Poor," he gets right down and dirty, blowing behind a great Hammond B3. If Carey Bell, Paul de Lay, or James Harman would look in their rear review mirror, they'd know that blues harp is in good hands with players like Freddie Brooks coming up, although Freddie's been fronting blues bands for the last 15 years. Freddie has played with Junior Wells, Hubert Sumlin, Johnny Johnson, Ronnie Earl, Joe Louis Walker, and Billy Boy Arnold, just to name a few. So, he's got great blues bona fides. "Boogie Bill" shows that Freddie's band can keep up on some great breakneck boogie, and it's a great ride, particularly when noted West Coast piano man Rob Rio is driving behind the keys. My favorite's "You're Doing Me Wrong," blown in the Chicago style of Sugar Blue or Jerry Portnoy: loud and out-front. Check out Freddie Brooks on Eugene, Oregon's King Ace label. They're online at http://www.kingace.com. For blues harp enthusiasts, it's a great place to discover a new bluesman with a bright future.

Track List:

Fun to Visit * I Just Killed a Man * Death Row Blues * So Damn Poor * Back Where I Come From * You're the One I Love * Boogie Bill * Jigsaw Puzzle * You're Doin' Me Wrong * Pale Hearted Woman * One Little Word * 1000 Miles * First Day of April

© 2000 - Eric Steiner