DOUGLAS WATSON R&B REVUE

Broken Hearted Man

Indie release

By Linda Cain

Douglas Watson’s six-song “mini” CD is proof that you can take the man out of Chicago, but you can’t take Chicago out of the man. Even though this native Chicagoan has moved to Canada, he is carrying on a family tradition begun by his late father, Eddie “Lovie Lee” Watson, who played piano with Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, B.B. King, and John Lee Hooker.

The title track, Watson’s original tune “Broken Hearted Man,” kicks off with a honkin’ sax solo that instantly brings to mind Chicago sax players like Eddie Shaw and A.C. Reed – which isn’t a surprise since Watson spent his early career playing bass with Reed. He also grew up in a household filled with blues legends who would come over to rehearse with his Dad – everyone from Muddy Waters to Howlin’ Wolf and Koko Taylor.  Watson went on to do session work with many famous blues artists, most notably playing on Reed’s critically-acclaimed album I’m in the Wrong Business on which Stevie Ray Vaughan and Bonnie Raitt guested.  Watson worked for Reed in his Sparkplugs Band for nine years. During that time he got to open for, and perform with, legends like B.B. King, James Brown, John Lee Hooker and Koko Taylor.

After Reed’s death in 2004, Watson moved to London, Ontario and later to Kitchener, Ontario. He met up with harp player “Mississippi” Pete Temple and they decided to form a band based on Chicago blues with a dash of R&B and soul. They teamed up with Chris “Mr. Sweetness” Latta on guitar and Maciej “Mr. Magic” Lukasiewicz on drums as the core of the band. On Broken Hearted Man, they are joined by John MacMurchy on sax, Junior Reggan and John Lee on organ, plus backup singers Michelle Rumball and Pat Temple.

The studio band provides excellent support for Watson’s talent as a versatile vocalist and bass player.  Watson’s rich baritone ranges from powerful and gritty to tender and emotional.   His bandmates skillfully follow Watson’s emotions according to each song’s mood.

For example, on the cover of Latimore’s ballad about a troubled romance, “Let’s Straighten It Out,” Watson’s sincere and poignant vocals are supported by a melancholy sax and guitar, along with soothing backup harmonies.

Watson delivers Z. Z. Hill’s classic “Down Home Blues” with joy and humor. He sounds like a man who can’t wait to party! As the song winds down, the singer improvises some lyrics and hums along with the harp player.

Watson’s second original on the disc, “The Best Way I Can,” is driving Chicago West Side blues. The rhythm section pulses, the song accented by sax and harp, while Watson belts it out.

For the old school R&B mid-tempo shuffle, “When You Got A Heartache,” Temple plays a laid back, lyrical harp solo and Watson kicks it up a notch with a soul scream. This is some of Watson’s best singing yet!

“Please Don’t Let Our Good Thing End,” another Z.Z. Hill cover, is the final track on this six song disc, and Watson goes out with a bang on this no-holds-barred take on a classic Southern soul song. Sorrowful sounding horns start it off and a moody organ builds the ambience as Watson brings drama to the song, his resonant baritone filled with sadness and pleading. “No, no, no, no!” he begs his lover. 

The dynamic song ends, and so does the disc, leaving the listener wanting more! Hopefully Watson will bring his talents back to Sweet Home Chicago and will get back in the studio with his impressive Canadian bandmates soon. Blues fans in the Great White North have been bestowing accolades on the Douglas Watson R&B Revue, including winning the Toronto Blues Society New Talent Search in 2007.

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