Customer Reviews

On the Chicago Blues Scene (Electric Sleep)

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This album is of solid quality. The band members are Sleepy John Estes: vocals/ rhythm guitar, Sunnyland Slim: piano, Jimmy Dawkins: lead guitar, Odie Payne, Jr.: drums, Carey Bell: harmonica (bass on 2 tracks), Earl Hooker: bass (on 4 tracks), Joe Harper: bass (on remaining tracks).

From the line up, you will recognize many standard performers in the Chicago scene. While the performances here are good, there are no stand out performances. One could probably find many of these performers sounding more exceptional on some of their solo efforts or if not that then on a different album. Still, it's good listening and creates a good urban Blues mood througout.

The only downside is that Jimmy Dawkins' finger picking gets a little excessive and sometimes seems to cloud out the bands' groove. So in other words Mr. Dawkins could have held back a little and would have been fine just playing the fills and solos rather than the fills, solo's and chorus'.

While the tempo of this album lacks high points, it's a solid effort by all concerned. Several tracks are top shelf and none disappoint. To hear one of the original bluesmen incorporating electric instruments into traditional acoustic styles is unusual enough, but to hear it done effectively is nearly unique. The respect and attention Jimmy Dawkins has given to the originals brings the effort into collectible status. The authentic flavor contributed by Sleepy John Estes is a deliberate counterpoint ..

Four Stars, if you like either artist, and 5 stars if you are a collector. Unusual and worth owning!