Customer Reviews

Eldorado Cadillac

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Billy Boy Arnold can certainly be counted among the legends of Chicago blues. The former Bo Diddley sideman, can blow his harp with the best of them and his soulful vocals represent blues at it's finest. On this CD, Billy Boy is joined by former Muddy Water's guitarist Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin and the result is a delightful, upbeat, sometimes comical and always fun, blues CD. Check out "Loving Mother For You" a classic if there ever was one. The tune starts out with a beat similar to Muddy's "Mannish Boy" but then breaks into some clever and comical lyrics supported by pianist Carl "Sonny" Leyland and the guitars of Margolin and James Wheeler. Great stuff. If you haven't heard Billy Boy, this is a good place to start.

This disc is the return of Billy Boy Arnold. If you like blues you will love this disc. there are some covers but most is new material from Arnold. My personal favorite is Lovin' Mother Fer You. The vendor was great in that the disc got here on time and was in great shape. Hope to do business with them in the future.

Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as a "blues legend," Billy Boy Arnold (and you got to like that name!), a veteran of the 50's blues scene and former bandmate of Bo Diddley, is a master harpist, reminiscent of Sonny Boy Williamson and James Cotton.

On the best of these tracks, such as "Sunday Morning Blues," the musical elements come together, achieving the controlled frenzy of a Muddy Waters: Arnold's ripsaw harmonica, the dissonant, rolling, slide guitar, and, especially, the brilliant punctuating riffs by pianist "Sonny" Leyland, recall Waters' seminal "Fathers and Sons."

Unfortunately, the harp and Otis Spann-style piano offer the only consistently satisfying sounds here. The guitars are mostly relegated to the background, and the bass and drums are competent but not especially invigorating. Most importantly, Billy Boy Arnold's vocals sound shallow: His timbre is thin, and he often sings with little conviction. Of course, no one can compare to Muddy Waters, but listen to "Fathers and Sons" (or any of his great albums) and you'll hear the voice of the real Chicago blues.

The jump blues pieces are fairly predictable; however, and the sax sometimes sounds too polished-more like the old SNL band in NYC than anything from Chicago. Finally, the closing "Loving Mother For You", aside from being juvenile, is WAY too long, a trait it shares with "Man of Considerable Taste."

Still, this is worth a listen, especially for the spine-tingling harp and piano. Includes brief notes and personnel list. While this CD is a mixed bag, kudos to Alligator Records for their continued support of the blues, and excellent sound quality.