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Album Review
by S. Emiski
7-4-2004
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| Charlie Musselwhite: Sanctuary of blues |
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Charlie Musselwhite: 'Sanctuary'
(Real World)
Charlie Musselwhite: (re)Introducing a veteran
Charlie Musselwhite’s new album ‘Sanctuary’ takes the listener through the gritty territory of Musselwhite's life, opening into personal themes of melancholy and darkness. Musselwhite, whose career spans 40 years and 33 albums, has plenty to say here, covering Ben Harper, Randy Newman, Townes Van Zandt, Sonny Landreth, Savoy Brown and Eddie Harris. In addition to the cover songs, Musselwhite delivers four originals.
'Sanctuary' also includes special guest appearances by Ben Harper and The Blind Boys of Alabama. The ‘Sanctuary’ band, assembled especially for this recording, stars Austin-bred Charlie Sexton (guitar), former member of the Archangels who recorded several CDs for MCA in his early years and who toured for the last two years as lead guitarist with Bob Dylan. Michael Jerome (The Blind Boys of Alabama, Richard Thompson, The Pleasure Club) is featured on percussion.
The bassist whiz is the young Jared Nickerson, who currently performs with NYC-based Burnt Sugar and has a touring history with Bernie Worell, The Yohimbe Brothers, and The The. The CD was produced by John Chelew, who also produced the last two Grammy-winning Blind Boys of Alabama records and 2003's Grammy-nominated Christmas album, as well as records by John Hiatt and Richard Thompson.
Musselwhite, known for his unforgettable live performances, performed with Ben Harper during Ben's sold out November, 2003 show at the 17,000 seat Paris' Bercy Arena. He also appeared as a special guest in the Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas show in New York City at the Beacon Theater on 19 Dec. along with Chrissie Hynde, Aaron Neville, Mavis Staples, Robert Randolph, John Medeski, Michael Franti, and others. The show was taped for a 2004 PBS holiday special.
Born in Mississippi but living in Tennessee, music defined ‘cool’ in 1950 Memphis, and Charlie soaked it all up. Surrounded by music, life was intense, moving, and real. There were gospel tent meetings in an empty field nearby his house; on another side of town he discovered and befriended Memphis Jug Band's Will Shade and blues icon Furry Lewis. He lived down the street from rockabilly legends Johnny Burnett and Slim Rhodes and was on the invitation list to parties hosted by Elvis Presley. While getting the direct musical transmission, Charlie developed other social skills - learning to drink deep, comb his hair right and play the hell out of both harp and guitar.
Like so many others in the deep South circa the 1950s, Charlie migrated north to Chicago, hoping to find a factory job and a better life. What he found was Chicago's south side, with all of its grit and beauty, hard times, and legend-making music. Charlie didn't visit the south side - he became part of it. Living in the basement of Delmark Records with Big Joe Williams (who instructed Charlie further in the way of drinking deep and playing hard), he met Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and John Lee Hooker.
The kings and giants of Chicago blues accepted him into the clubs and onstage, Charlie was adopted, and he took these influences and ran with them. He formed his own band and released his 1956 Vanguard debut ‘Stand Back!’ This album achieved immediate underground success and established Charlie as a blues master in his own right.
Charlie has matured since those days, but he's still taking risks. He is known as the undisputed master of blues harp, but Charlie himself is interested in sound - international, cross cultural, modern and classic - because what inspires Charlie is feeling, and feeling knows no bounds. He is a master and an adventurer, and ‘Sanctuary’ is an unforgettable ride. Listen to the music and enjoy. Charlie's with you all the way.
Solid if unspectacular. Its quality lacks the Aerosmith's nous displayed on the new CD, 'Honkin' On Bobo'.
7/10
S. Emiski
7-4-2004
Charlie Musselwhite's album 'Sanctuary' is released 05 April 2004 by Real World
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