Customer Reviews

Joined at the Hip

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Willie "Pinetop" Perkins will be 97 years old in July and has been tickling the ivories for over 80 years. Willie "Big Eyes" Smith - now 73 years old - spent two long stints as the drummer for Muddy Waters (where Perkins had a long stint too) but went back to blues harp playing a few years ago. (That's where he started his career.). These two guys hit the studio earlier this year to make this album and it sounds like they are half their age. Smith's son, Kenny, sits in on the drums for this session.

Smith wrote 6 of the 13 songs and handles most of the vocals - there's only one instrumental track- with Perkins contributing one song. Both "Sonny Boy Williamson"s are represented with a contribution each.

These guys were definitely having fun and a good time is had by all. One unique standout is Perkins' take on the Thomas A. Dorsey gospel standard, "Take My Hand, Precious Lord". He plays it as a blues complete with a funky ending. I'll never hear that song the same way again.

Perkins says he has no plans to quit before he turns 100 and I don't doubt it. I had the chance to see him play when he was ONLY 95 and his set lasted nearly 90 minutes. This guy has stamina. If you liked he other recent releases - including the three Grammy Nominated albums in 1997, 2000 and 2005 - you'll like this one too.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

WHOA! this is some GREAT album. We have a growing collection of blues and when we saw Pinetop Perkins in Kenny Wayne Shepherd's "10 Days Out" DVD, thought it was cool that such an older blues player was still at it. This CD was reviewed as some good blues and they weren't kidding. If you like Chicago style blues and hearing some really great CURRENT players you must get this album. Sometimes these kind of albums start off with a great set but everything after that is ho-hum. EVERY single one of these songs are just pure joy. Vocals are rich, Pinetop just turned 97 years old and his piano really rocks. Willie's harp and vocals are just pure blues. The back up players are really into it, guitars wail and the drummer, Kenny Smith, is Willie's son and already follows in dad's footsteps. Album starts off with "Grown Up To Be A Man" and just takes off. "Walkin' Down The Highway" is one bluesy piano and harp, it just keeps going along. This is one CD you will put on and listen to time after time. Don't think blues all belongs to bygone years (like we did) it's happening NOW too. AND, these guys are STILL ON TOUR!!

Great CD with these two really spicing it up together. Unfortunately, today 3/21/11, Pinetop joined the hipsters in the great beyond. This album and his previous one, are certainly the way to go out when you are 96 and this year 97 years old! RIP Pinetop!

Pinetop and Willie have made a masterpiece with this offering. Can't wait to see them in Chicago this weekend!

Willie "Big Eyes" Smith is great. Pinetop Perkins is amazing and can still make the piano walk around the room. The two together are awesome. A must have for anyone in the "Blues".

PineTop and Willie are at the best. If you like Chicago Blues this is great.

This album is great. If you love some good classic blues harmonica, Willie Big Eyes really blows some good stuff. Pinetop Perkins is phenomenal. You can't believe that he 100 yrs old.