Customer Reviews

Playing for Keeps

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

 

 

"Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows" is one of the consummate Chicago R&B bands. Why they aren't known outside of Chicago and the midwest is a mystery to me as well as the rest of their fans, I'm sure.

Larry Nolan (otherwise known as Big Twist) handles the vocals on a full R&B band with horn section. You only need to listen to "300 Pounds of Heavenly Joy" to know their style of music -- *powerful* vocals from Larry, a solid bass line and plenty of horns thrown in for good measure. Big Twist's enormous vocal talents are displayed on many of the tracks, in particular "I Brought the Blues on Myself" and "I Want Your Love".

I was fortunate enough to see "Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows" in concert before Big Twist's untimely death. "Playing for Keeps", even though it is not technically a live album, captures the power and immediacy of their live concert quite well.

I own both "Playing for Keeps" and "Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows" (their debut album) and would recommend "Playing For Keeps" as the first Big Twist album to purchase. In my opinion, "Playing for Keeps" is their best work but the debut album is worth puchasing if you like what you hear in "Playing For Keeps".

I love going out to clubs and listening to great blues bands that swing. I saw the Mellow Fellows after Big Twist had passed away, and believe me, they still rocked the joint, but listening to this album, I really wish I'd gotten the chance to hear Twist sing live and in person.

"300 Pounds of Heavenly Joy" has got to be one of the most joyful and rockin' blues tunes ever recorded. I can't tell you how many times I hit 'repeat' on that song. Just unbelievable.