EDDY CLEARWATER

West Side Strut

Alligator ALCD 4921

by Tim Holek

 Known around the globe as a consummate showman, Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater – a long-time giant of the West Side Chicago blues sound – makes his long anticipated debut on Chicago’s Alligator Records, with the aptly titled “West Side Strut.” With its release, Clearwater becomes the first Chicago-based artist to release a recording on the Alligator label since the early-to-mid ‘90s, which stands as a career highlight for the artist.

             Ronnie Baker Brooks (son of blues great Lonnie Brooks) was hand-picked by Clearwater to produce the record. This has resulted in different, newer, and younger ideas being added to Clearwater’s established sound. Baker Brooks also contributes guitar, percussion, bass, background vocals, two original songs as well as three co-written songs. Best of all, the differing styles (traditional versus contemporary) of these bluesmen complement each other instead of colliding with each other.

            The CD contains blues, soul, and gospel. The sonic innovation of Billy Branch’s harp, in the opening number A Good Leavin’ Alone, makes it known that this is a loud, proud, and bold Chicago blues record. Here, while blazing a trail on his fret board, Clearwater growls the lyrics out like a bear. Throughout the duration of the disc, his vocals are far more tame and weary.  Gotta Move On is a soulful ballad that is emotional and sensitive whereas Too Old To Get Married is the exact opposite. The latter is a fun rock and blues boogie that features Lonnie Brooks on guitar and vocals. Clearwater’s Indian heritage is heard in the heavy beat of the ultra contemporary They Call Me The Chief. Eddy, who has been in Chicago since 1950, doesn’t need to lean on the strength of cover songs because his own songs are strong enough. Yet, Clearwater and Branch have a blast – literally – trading solos on Muddy Waters’ Walking Through The Park which is made to sound very contemporary. Rock-A-Blues Baby was almost left off the album. It combines pop and hip-hop beats with heavy metal power chording and sounds unlike anything else on the disc.

            The best songs were written by all the contributing songwriters. Ronnie’s hot rockin’ guitar rips on the captivating Hypnotized. The gospel sounding Do Unto Others – about treating others with respect – was written by Clearwater’s publicist Karen Leipziger. Guest vocalists Jimmy Johnson and Otis Clay make the track superb while Baker Brooks’ remarkable guitar work brings forth the emotions of the stirring lyrics. Clearwater’s best guitar performance surfaces on a brilliant cover of Lowell Fulson’s Trouble Trouble. With a rich and deep message for hate and war to cease, the gospel-like A Time For Peace is enriched due to the backing vocals of six accompanists. Here and throughout, the organ and piano of Darryl Coutts is dazzling.       

            It could be a challenge to re-create these songs live as they were not recorded with Clearwater’s band – they were recorded with Baker Brooks’ band. Yet, this is an exceptional album. West Side Strut is the perfect mix of young and old, traditional and contemporary, today and tomorrow. It is a strong contender for blues record of the year.

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