Monday, February 8, 2021

Dear Don Was, This is How To Record The Blues In The 21st Century

 

 

 

Last month, my friend Kevin suggested that if the Rolling Stones and Don Was had taken a chance, "Blue & Lonesome" would have been so much better. He mentioned this after listening to the new record from Errol Linton. It took a month, and a Mojo review reminder, but I gave "No Entry" a spin. 

In a word, "Wow."

I've been very vocal on these pages regarding Mick and Keith's missed opportunity called "Blue & Lonesome." Many of you have been kinder to the Stones "return" to "the blues" than I have been. I, for one, could not get beyond the hotter than hot, hair band production to even determine whether or not the Stones delivered a return to form. And with each subsequent second, third and fourth chance, "Blue & Lonesome" just made me angrier.

 

 

But I digress.

Errol Linton's "No Entry" is a perfect example of how to make a traditional blues record in the 21st century. From the opening instrumental "No Entry Blues" you will get lost in the production, which is damn near perfect. As "No Entry" unfolds, you'll think you were listening to a vintage John Mayall record, or some just found Chess sides from Sonny Boy Williamson.

"No Entry" grooves along and lands in that pocket you usually find on a John Lee Hooker record. The first time you realize this is a new record is when the spell is broken on "Speak Easy," an instrumental with a lilting reggae vibe, six tracks in. And that works, too.

There is no overplaying on "No Entry." It is not brash. It is a wonderfully subtle collection of Linton originals, save one tune, that feel both fresh and timeless at the same time.

Give "No Entry" a spin.

And thanks Kevin, for the nudge.

9 comments:

mauijim said...

Thanks Sal. Bought it via iTunes. Artists like him need to survive. Look forward to seeing him when we can again.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you 100% about Lonesome & Blue and about the three Errol Linton tracks you posted. I while have to investigate his music much further!

Thank you

Captain Al

me n the reeds said...

Thanks Sal for the heads up on this.

Wow great rhythm section and live feel to this

Reminds me of Shakedown Street by Savoy Brown a very much underrated British Blues album far better than any Stones record.

Keep up the good work.Love to read your insights, from Australia.

stewrat said...

Nice tip Sal - thanks!

Troy said...

That does sound fantastic. Wish the Stones could put one more out that sounds this good.

Whattawino said...

Wow, is right! This is a GEM and it’s everything you described and more ‘cause I didn’t expect it to be THIS perfect. BIG Thanks, sir!

cmealha said...

The sound on this stuff is really warm where the Stones stuff suffered from being too pristine.

ken49 said...

Good stuff. Has that Sonny Boy vibe which sounds great. Another blues album to check out is Shemekia Copeland which is blistering good.

BlueStaxBoy said...

I've kept coming back to this for months. Errol is a real hidden gem and great to see the word being spread.