Memphis Gold - Prodigal Son (2004)

Tracklist

01. Come Wit Me
02. Don`t Let Her Ride
03. Crabcakes
04. Big Leg woman
05. Prodigal Son
06. Chicken It
07. 3` S Tonic
08. Preacher Blues
09. Test Drive That Woman
10. Serves Me Right
11. Melt Down Baby
12. Bedroom Mumba



It was grafying seeing Memphis Gold at this past summer`s Pocono blues Festival. having seen Chester Chandler perform at long gone venues like Smokehouse blue, as well as his band with Charlie sayles with their regular gigs at J Vs and being regulars when Whitlows on Wilson first opened, one has to admire how he and his band has matured. At the time of the festival he gave me an advance copy of his self-produced cd, The Prodigal Son, which is being released imminently. Comprised mostly of originals it includes his regular band with guest appearance by Phil Wiggins on harp and Pete Ragusa on Drums a track or two, and several tracks of the late Willie Hicks on them. Anyone who has seen Memphis Knows how much soul he brings to his performances and his Memphis influences go beyond the late Reverend Robert Wilkins and other influences of his youth. Certainly, the stax sounds underlies some of his songs like his evocation of Don`t make your move to soon on the opening Come Wit Me, with its funky tempo and groove. Its not surprising to see folks filing to the floor and when he takes his guitar solo on this, It does not slow things up one bit . They avoid hurrying the tempo too much on the shuffle, Don`t Let Her Ride , which I believe was previously recorded by James Peterson, and has a nice piano solo and raw acoustic before Memphis Gold takes the tune out. After the hot racetrak groove on Crabcakes, the tempo slows down for Big Leg Woman with more fluid fretwork. The title track, Prodigal Son , is not the song by his mentor, Rev Robert Wilkins, but has a similar theme about a wondering blues man heading home set against the melody of the classic 44 Blues . Then there is a instrumental Chicken It , with a riff that suggest Howlin Wolf`s Killing Floor ( and some nice harp), Preacher Blues , where he talks about bringing his shotgun to church with a driving solos, and the humorous bit of double entendre on Test Drive That Woman and the longest track, Serves Me Right, is a terrific slow blues as pleads to his lady that he wants to come back home. I had not listen to this in a couple months, but hearing it again I was struck how good this is. I should point out that I am among those who are thanked in the credits (reflecting my long friendship with Mr. Chester Chandler), I am just so gratified to have a friend produce the best local electric blues cd since Bobby Parker`s two disc for Black Top. It is that good . I am sure you will be hearing this WPFW and you should check out.

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