Customer Reviews

Little Car Blues

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'Little Car Blues' by harmonica virtuoso Magic Dick and J. Geils Band leader, guitarish, Jay Geils do a 'Hot Tuna' sthick by leaving their originals rhythm and blues success to branch out into what may be their 'first love' in music.

I simply loved the J Geils Band and revere my memories of having seen them perform live in the early 1970's, when the fronted for 'supergroup' Emerson, Lake and Palmer. J. Geils and Co were, much, much more entertaining.

So, in a sense, I was initially very disappointed that this album was not more of their great R & B material. It was also not all from the very similar Chicago blues style of Muddy Waters.

But, the more I listened, the more I liked it. I was especially fond of the much broader range of material, especially the Duke Ellington and Marvin Gaye compositions.

I don't think I would turn in my Buddy Guy disks for this one, but it is a really nice place for my old faves to go.

Jay Geils is a great guitarist who never overwhelms a song, and Magic Dick is one of, if not the best, blues harp players alive today. Together they have a natural feel for each other's playing that fits very well on the blues, jazz, soul and swing tunes on this CD. Dick sings the vocals, and on some tunes you wish he'd just blow the harp instead. His voice is best suited for the slower jazz and soul numbers when he's merely pleasant. I don't mean to knock Dick's vocals too much; the whole CD is entirely listenable. But the band really shines during the instrumental numbers and breaks, of which there are many. They are tight and possess a great feel for the material.