PINETOP PERKINS

Pinetop Perkins and Friends 

Telearc CD 83680

By Tim Holek

At 95 years of age, Pinetop Perkins defies mortality. Like many from his generation, the independent Perkins learned early on that life is a game of survival of the fittest. Born a preacher’s son in Belzoni, Mississippi, in 1913, Perkins first instrument was the guitar. He barnstormed the Southern juke joints with other various musicians throughout the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s. The self-taught piano player was well into his Fifties when he joined the Muddy Waters Band in 1969. In 1980, Pinetop and other Waters alumni formed the Legendary Blues Band. Perkins has concentrated on his solo career since 1985 and is one of the few remaining direct ties to the golden age of post-World War II American blues. Though he is idolized – Perkins has a Blues Music Award named after him and recently received his own Mississippi Blues Trail Marker – he remains humble. This may be his greatest trait and it shines forth on this album.

Pinetop is joined by a dozen desirable musicians and a star-studded guest list. Despite them, this recording comes across as being a bit disjointed. It was recorded over two-and- a-half years ago at numerous studios. Perkins’ vocals and piano receive the greatest volume in the mix. This, and the fact some guests were absent from the studio, has resulted in a loss of cohesion among the ten songs. Many of them, including the two originals Take It Easy Baby and Down In Mississippi, are staples of Perkins’ live show. The songs are mostly covers but Mr. Perkins has earned the right to play them.

            There is still plenty of vitality in his piano solos and although his voice has gathered rust over the years, it is incredibly strong for his age. He delivers the vocals very excitedly, and his high-pitched cries sound like a frail old man on Look On Yonders Wall. Willie Kent’s bass guitar rumbles like a freight train and Eric Sardinas’ acoustic slide guitar is reminiscent of Johnny Winter on Got My Mojo Working. Too bad this was one of Kent’s last recordings; and Sardinas’ co-lead vocals are less than desirable. Also thumping on bass is Bob Stroger, whose left hand plays notes in concert with Perkins’ dominate right hand. You’ll love the way Perkins and B.B. King customize the lyrics to Down In Mississippi where they sing about the tiny Mississippi towns where they were born. You may have heard Perkins play all the piano riffs before but on this track, in particular, they seem legendary, bigger than life, and vivacious. On How Long Blues/Come Back Baby, brawny vocalist Nora Jean Bruso delivers one of those spellbinding performances while Eric Clapton’s guitar sounds full and rich. Bill Willis’ B3 organ and Jimmie Vaughan’s finger-plucked guitar strings give new life to the over-recorded Hoochie Coochie Man. Throughout, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith contributes to the Chicago blues sound with his well-slapped drums.

     The success of this album can be equally attributed to Perkins and his guests. You’ve heard these songs hundreds of times before but this CD is worthy of being nominated for the blues album of the year. Pinetop Perkins And Friends is a fitting addition to the legacy of the world’s finest surviving blues piano man.       

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