DRIFTIN' SLIM & HIS BLUES BAND
Somebody Hoo-Doo'd the Hoo-Doo Man (Milestone)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Elmon Mickle was one of the most unique blues players around. His country blues is a throwback to plantation era and his sound is pure Arkansas, although he grew up in Southern California. This Milestone re-issue shows that there's a lot of energy, art and fun in being a one-man band. Elmon recorded in California under different names, such as "Model T Slim," Harmonica Harry," and on these cuts from the mid-60's, "Driftin' Slim." More importantly, he played harmonica, bass drum, guitar and hi-hat cymbals all together and on 10 of these 15 cuts, he's the band. All by himself. He keeps time, strums the rhythm chords and blows a mean harp on "Jack O'Diamonds," and there are influences of John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson on "Till I Got Sixteen." When he's backed by Jack Wall on guitar, Ike Parker on bass, and Guy Jones on drums, Driftin' Slim's right at home with a full band, too. Check out Driftin' Slim. He's more than a one man band; he's a slice of country blues that's pretty tasty.

Track List:

Jackson Blues * How Many More Years ? * Hoodoo Man Blues * Mama Blues * Standing Around Crying * Give An Account * Jack O'Diamonds * My Little Machine * Mama Don't Tear My Clothes * This World is None of My Home * A Dip of Snuff and a Narrow Escape * Till I Got Sixteen * Christine Blues * Jonah * I'm Hunting Somebody

(C) 1998 - Eric Steiner