Grady Champion - Steppin' In: A Tribute To Z.Z. Hill (2019)

Grady Champion wastes no time getting to the heart of the matter by opening his latest release with ‘Down Home Blues,’ a song that has been called the best-known blues song of the 1980s. Champion’s 11th album, “Steppin’ In,” is a loving tribute to fellow Malaco Records’ recording artist, the late great Z.Z. Hill, who is best known for his recordings in the 1970s and early 1980s, including his 1982 album for the label, “Down Home,” which stayed on the Billboard soul album chart for nearly two years. Champion is a torch bearer for the combination of authentic Mississippi blues and contemporary soul styling devised by Z.Z. Hill that helped to restore the blues to modern black consciousness.
The collection of a dozen specially chosen tracks was recorded in Jackson, Mississippi with Champion backed by his veteran road band of guitarist Will Wesley, Frederick Demby Sr. on bass, Sam Brady on keys and Edward Rayshad Smith on drums, for that gritty live in the room feel. Special guests include fellow IBC winner Eddie Cotton, The Jackson Horns and home girls Jewel Bass and Lahlah Devine suppling the backing vocals. The group gives ‘Shade Tree Mechanic,’ from Hill’s 1983 album, “I’m A Blues Man,” the full Wang Dang Doodle treatment by swinging the riff a bit more and, of course, adding Champion’s vaunted blues harp. The Jackson Horns join the party on the classic blues of tough love ‘Someone Else Is Steppin’ In,’ providing melodic flourishes under Champion’s pleading vocal. Cotton brings in his guitar to join Grady’s call for the band slow down on the heavy-duty track ‘Bump And Grind,’ so he can get on the dance floor with the girls like his hero used to do. Grady then steps right into Z.Z. Hill’s shoes for the autobiographic ‘I’m A Blues Man,’ perfectly replicating his every move.

Wesley’s lead guitar shines on the tale of a man done wrong ‘Open House At My House,’ and another soul blues prototype from Hill’s 1982 album, “The Rhythm And The Blues,” ‘Who You Been Giving It To,’ is covered with detailed loving care. The horn fueled ‘Three Into Two Won’t Go,’ is a sweet bit of Memphis Soul, and the collection would not be complete without Hill’s first hit for the Malaco label ‘Cheating In The Next Room.’ The hymn of endless devotion, ‘Right Arm For Your Love,’ is delivered with new energy and Cotton fires off the opening lead line to another signature track from “Down Home,” the fiery blues ’Everybody Knows About My Good Thing.’ Texas blues and soul singer/songwriter Bobby Patterson wrote ‘When It Rains It Pours’ for Hill in 1982 not knowing the world would lose him just two short years later. Champion closes the set delivering this prophetic deep cut with reverence and fortitude.

Champion dedicates the album to Hill’s biggest fan, his own mother Jerry Dean Champion, who schooled him in the artistry of her favorite bluesman by playing the records of Z.Z. Hill on their farm in Canton, Mississippi. The youngest of 28 children, Grady Champion has had many teachers and mentors in his life and with “Steppin’ In” he pays tribute to the two closest to his heart. Rick J Bowen