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Paul Wood - With the recent passing of blues giant
John Lee Hooker, there are now few of the true founding fathers left
with us. Though the men who began and molded this great music have gone
on to join the "choir invisible", each have left many disciples and
former sidemen behind to carry on in their great tradition.
Among Hooker's many former associate axe slingers is the outstanding
Memphis based blues/rocker Paul Wood. Wood, who recorded 3 albums with
Hooker in the 70's, returns with his second solo CD "Blues Is My
Business" which features 10 original and smoking tracks. The CD is a
perfect example of the kind that we try to review for you at
Bluesrockers:
excellent original material, strong backing players, well produced,
enjoyable vocals, good from start to finish, and including the kind of
stinging guitar that could peel the barnacles off of the hull of a
sunken pirate ship.
Wood's style is in the Walter Trout/Jimmy
Thackery/Coco Montoya vein, which
means that it is both powerfully intense while at the same time
retaining a gentle beauty. "Blame It On The Whiskey" demonstates this as
well as any other track on the set. And, this is music from Memphis, so
you know there will also be well played horns backing the band.
"Everything Dies But The Blues" features both acoustic and electric
slide, along with Wood's signature blues/rocking electric leads. There
is an acoustic Delta blues offering "The Mojo Man", which also includes
some tasty harp notes to augment Wood's acoustic slide. Track after
track is excellent but more than that, the entire recording is just
plain enjoyable. I suppose Woods sums up his own work best with the
lyrics of his blistering title track, when he sings "I'm open for
business in your neighborhood. Blues is my business, and business is
good".
And very good it is, indeed, and worthy of your hard earned dollar.
The CD is available from my favorite folks at www.cdbaby.com. Be sure
also to visit the official Paul Wood web site at www.paul-wood.com.
The Band:
Paul Wood-Vocals and Lead Guitar
Jack Holder-Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocals
Dave Smith-Bass Guitar
Steve Potts-Drums
Al Gamble-Hammond B-3
Jim Spake-Tenor and Baritone Saxophones
Lyn Jones-Harmonica
Steve Mergen-Percussion
Reba Russell-Background Vocals
Tracks:
1. She Don't Play By The Rules 2. Blues Guitar 3. Cryin' Won't Help Ya
4. Blues Is My Business 5. Blame It On The Whiskey 6. Seventh Day 7.
Another Day 8. Everything Dies But The Blues 9. Don't Call Me 10. The
Mojo Man
2001 Lucy Records
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