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analysis w/e 14.5.11 |
DVDs out 9.5.11 |
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@ DVDfever Youtube |
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May 11 2011 
DVDfever co uk
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Renaissance man’s stunning return. Long overdue. Aged 70, Eddie C. Campbell may have thought his recording career was shot; now he gets another chance to impress us all over again. Delmark Records have come to the rescue with an outstanding album. Having moved to the Windy City from Mississippi aged 10, he jammed with Muddy Waters, Magic Sam, and Otis Rush at the age of 12. Later he played side-man to Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter Little Johnny Taylor and Jimmy Reed. Such was his reputation; Willie Dixon (admired by all members of Led Zeppelin) invited him to join the Chicago Blues All-Stars in 1976. Campbell is proud of these associations as he rolls out a list of glitterati on the final track Bluesman. Like he says he’s a “real bluesman.” He’s played with then, but more importantly, they’ve played with him! Tear This World Up could be his final hoorah, (his last offering was a decade ago- Gonna Be Alright) so he’s keen to impress with his famed ringing West-Side style. As the last of the originators of the West Side style, Campbell has steadfastly kept things in the ‘now’, and we’re all the better for it, and so is he. This sizzling set of Chicago blues varies from funky danceable sojourns to plain balladeering with an emphasis on reverb and vibrato, used to devastating effect. That said there’s nothing (like all great guitarists) gratuitous about his playing – it’s all very disciplined and mightily effective, as you’d expect from an old master. Okay, so he goes a little wild, but its stylish stuff found on the jumping instrumental All Nite (a remake of a single he cut for Hawaii Records in the late 60s) and rockabilly-tinged Love Me With A Felling. Plenty of twang and it’s cool.
He opens this box of delights with a Howlin’ Wolf-like shuffle – Makin’ Popcorn, a humorous little tale wish bounces along with a tight rhythm with only a dash of solos on the ¾ mark. Big World is frenetic with a thumping beat but it soon turns into exhibitionism as he rolls out the licks with style. His skills eventually come to the fore on the smooth and silky Easy Baby written by his buddy Magic Sam . The laidback groove allows his him to texturise with edgy chords and picks and it’s mind-boggling to hear this technician at work. If there are budding guitarists reading this, then Voodoo is the track to check. With its spooky bayou groove it has some of the best guitar playing I’ve ever heard - every finger-snapping trick in the book can be found including multiple guitar parts. My Last Affair is one the purists will lap up. This steady R&B gem has all the hallmarks of Mississippi delta with a unique twist as he flicks the picks with a measured abandon. For a bit of fun, he does a thunderous take of George Gershwin’s standard Summertime without losing the jazz classic’s sensibilities. One thing overlooked so far, is his fine vocal range, and Summertime gives him the platform to do some gymnastics sounding much like Robert Cray. The verdict: The real deal. Go buy!
Weblink: myspace.com/eddieccampbell (includes audio samples)
The full list of tracks included are :
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier. PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
