HOME COOKIN'
Afrobilly Soul Stew (Blue Dot)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Throw in some Louisiana swamp boogie, a pinch of Chicago blues, a Memphis shuffle, Kansas City swing, a touch of gospel, and a whole lot of fun, and you'll get a full menu of good music from the San Francisco Bay-area quartet, Home Cookin.' Listening to their second disc, Afrobilly Soul Stew, I flashed on the Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings: fans of Blind Pig artists CBRK will boogie along with this West Coast import just like were Chicago's own. "Brick House in Memphis" highlights Tyler Eng's light touch with a brush on the drums and Jim Pugh's piano, all behind Brenda Boykin's sultry vocals and Anthony Paule's guitar. My favorites include "Five O'clock Blues," a longer version of the Gerry Goffin-Carole King nugget "Chains," and, believe it or not, a version of that reggae classic from Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder They Come," "Rivers of Babylon," that just brings chills to my spine with great harmony. Go get some Afrobilly Stew from Home Cookin' - soul food that's just right for blues fans!

© 2000 - Eric Steiner