Customer Reviews

Deep Down

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have heard a great deal of praise for this album over the several years since I became a harpist and I had long been curious if it was worth the great reviews it got. Finally, I afforded the opportunity to hear it for myself when I recieved it as a gift. My initial reaction was WOW! I had heard Carey Bell before, but not like this. This album has a distinctly tough, gritty feeling, the like of which I haven't heard since I picked up Junior Wells' outstanding "Hoodoo Man Blues."

The harp is the real show stealer here. Carey Bell has always been a bit underrated, not getting quite the same recognition as James Cotton or Little Walter. On this album, Carey clearly demonstrates that he can match anyone playing today. His tone is unbelievably fat, and his phrasing is remarkably intricate. Coupled with his ability to blow chromatic harmonica like no other, Bell really is one of the greatest players out there.

Carey Bell is not the most talked about vocalist, and has actually been derided as being a sub par singer. I don't get it. He's not Muddy Waters, but in his own way, Carey is a good blues singer. His rough voice works well, particularly on such tracks as "When I get Drunk."

The backing band is definatly in the groove too, with Lucky Peterson giving great work on keys and Carey's son, Lurrie, puts on a show on guitar.

Overall, this is a stellar blues album. I had always liked Carey's work. After I heard this, he quickly became a personal favorite in the word of harmonica players. Once you hear this disc, you'll understand exactly what I mean.

OK, I admit it. I had never heard of Carey Bell. I went and saw him at Yoshi's because whatever they have is awesome. Always. And Carey Bell is no exception. I bought this CD on the spot and walked away wondering why in the heck he doesn't get more attention. This is blues the way it should be; high energy, raw, with the emotion of a smokey blues club. You like harp. You like blues. You will love this CD. I guarantee it.

A very solid CD. The harp playing is nothing less than what you would expect from Carey Bell. If you like the whole range of blues harp. This one cover it all. I would buy it again - & again.....

This is Carey's best album.It's like an Allstar Jam with son Lurrie and Carl Weathersby on guitar along with Lucky Peterson on piano.Carey's harmonica never sounded better.

Chicago is one tough town to become a star harmonica player in. During it's long and colorful history as the Blues harmonica capitol of the world, Chicago has given us the likes of Sonny Boy Williamsons I and II, Little Walter, Big Walter, James Cotton, Paul Butterfield, Charlie Musselwhite and dozens more, also too many to count.

It is a pleasure to listen to Carey Bell. A Chicago Blues veteran since the mid-1950's, Bell has worked with Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Walter Horton, John Lee Hooker and a host of others. He has been making records since the late 1960's, but this recording from the Alligator label really shines through.

Bell shows himself to be a capable vocalist and frontman as well as a stellar Blues harmonica master. His back-up band includes Chicago musicians like Carl Weathersby, Lucky Peterson and his son Lurrie Bell. They are as tight a band as one could wish for and this album is a pleasure to listen to from beginning to end.

Overall I'd say that this is a definite must for any Chicago Blues harmonica collection.

Carey Bell gets 5 stars for his harmonica playing ('Mississippi saxophone'), however the album only gets 3 stars for overall effect. It is still quite a reasonable album but only hits the highlights when Carey plays his harp. There is occasionally some interesting keyboards from Lucky Peterson and guitar from Carl Weathersby and Lurrie Bell. However, the album is only memorable when Carey shows his stuff, none better than on 'Must I holler' and on the instrumental 'easy'.

This the blues plain and simple. In a day and age of wannabes and phonies, its nice to hear the sound of the real blues still shines forth.The harmonica tone on this album is real serious,Heavy-duty! Bell runs the whole Gamut of blues from Funk to chicken-picking. Its well-worth your money and time. Long Live The Delta Blues!

This man is amazing...not because he's better then anyone else...because he Loves what he's doing, and that makes for some killer blues. No showboating here...just great tunes. If you're a harp/blues fan and like the "low down blues", this is a must. Carey Bell, thank you!!

This man is amazing...not because he's better then anyone else...because he Loves what he's doing, and that makes for some killer blues. No showboating here...just great tunes. If you're a harp/blues fan and like the "low down blues", this is a must. Carey Bell, thank you!!