Customer Reviews

Live at the Knickerbocker

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

 

 

I was disappointed to find out that Live At The Knickerbocker, on a tangible medium, was discontinued, which means that if you want to own it, you have to download a lesser-quality MP3, have none of the liners, and unless you burn it to a CD yourself, need some form of computer to play it.

But having said that, it just might be worth it for Live At The Knickerbocker. This was recorded at a night club in Rhode Island near the end of Big Walter's life. I challenge you to find a better collection, better performances from Horton.

Included in this performance is the third of three known versions of "Easy," Horton's trademark tune. It's a great, solid performance with a groove that you just don't want to end. The liners facetiously list this song as "It's Not Easy."

The collection starts out with four songs that do NOT include Walter Horton, but are still standout tracks nonetheless. Walter is introduced later on in the set.

If you're looking for a CD, you'll have a heck of a time finding it for a reasonable price; indeed, a used copy is offered for sale on Amazon for $160. The CD was also released under the title _Little Boy Blue_ and with different liners and not quite as good sound quality (a little bit if home-made EQ, adding to the treble, helps tremendously!), but if you can find it under that title, you'll pay a lot less.

Sonny Boy II perhaps had a slight edge in sheer rhythmic chops, and Little Walter's jazzy phrasing was unique, but when it came to fat, Mississippi-saxophone tone, Big Walter Horton was the man. He's captured here in great form, with very sympathetic support by Ronnie Earl and his Broadcasters band. Earl deserves special mention for his guitar's tirelessly inventive interplay with Horton's harp. Only thing this otherwise brilliant live date lacks is truly commanding vocals.

This is my favorite performance by Big Walter Horton. I think it may have been his last. He has great tone, great rhythmic chops, superb control of the instrument. His playing here is my definition of maturity in Art...great passion contained by great restraint. If you want a superb model to improve your own harp playing (as I do), this is really worth downloading. The same applies to Ronnie Earl Horvath's guitar playing here...superb stuff. he's a fine rhythm player and he has a wonderful range of styles that he can play in...he even sounds like 1948 John Lee Hooker at points on the Worried Mind cut. The beauty of this performance is that the band members are all working for the greater good of the song...no ego here-this is my idea of a fine blues band. Get Some !