Customer Reviews

Rattleshake

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I received my copy of Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials, Rattleshake. Man it blows me out of my seat. I have so far played it through three times. It keeps on getting better and better. The play list is superb; a mixture of jump, some slow classic delta, Hank Williams style country, a little bit of Texas Gulf Coast and Chicago style blues.

The seventh track "Tramp on Your Street" is one of those slow mellow, lay in front of a roaring fireplace on cold winter's evening, sipping wine with your significant other, A song that come out every once in awhile. This track along with the second track "Tired of Crying" are two of the best.

I've been listening to Lil' Ed for more than 20 years. I have his work from vinyl up through this latest release. I first saw him live--amazingly live!--in 1987, at a Blues, Brews, and Barbecue show on a boat moored in the Mississippi River in St. Louis. I saw him again in the mid-1990s in Eugene, Oregon, when he blew the doors off the Good Times. This new CD shows him still driving harder than anyone around (with the possible exception of Magic Slim). His voice is excellent, the songs are strong, and his guitar work has never sounded more energetic. The torch carried by Elmore James, Hound Dog Taylor, and J. B. Hutto is in excellent hands!

Blues is full of misconceptions and stereotypes. Those predetermined perspectives become altered once you get to know the sincerity of the music and its artists. Chicago's wicked slide guitar master Lil' Ed Williams is one artist who puzzles his audience. Under the guise of a careless fool, there is a complex man musically, spiritually, and personally. Ed's tight-knit band have been playing together for so long, they know their every move. Listen as the rhythm section - Kelly Littleton (drums) and James "Pookie" Young (bass) - locks tightly into each groove while Mike Garrett (guitar) rocks. Their romping sound is augmented by Johnny Iguana's animated piano/organ on six numbers.

The majority of these 13 in-your-face songs were written by Ed or his wife Pam. Half brother Pookie contributes additional originals, and there is the customary cover/tribute to Uncle J.B. Hutto. The subject matter of the songs - overcoming defeat, resisting temptation, having respect, loyalty, and responsibility - reveal Ed's strongest values.

Just like their five previous Alligator releases, Rattleshake was recorded live off the floor. On it, Williams embodies Alligator's Genuine Houserockin' Music. Ed possesses the uncanny ability to chip his guitar straight into your very being. Experience this firsthand on Maybe Another Time. With youthful rebellion, Leaving Here contains rollicking energy. It is boundless on Golden Rule where Ed's guitar is a fireball. Unlike shooting stars, his positive energy does not fade quickly. Combined with a punk beat and Elmore James and J.B. Hutto inspirations, Ed's slide guitar enthusiastically shouts and shrieks on Icicles In My Meatloaf. Williams' gifted guitar talent receives exposure on ballads such as You Just Weren't There. The diminutive dynamo takes the usual ("My baby's gone") lyric a step further on Nobody's Fault But My Own. Here, he ain't just singing the blues; he is asking for forgiveness and making a life transformation. You can feel it in his brazen guitar solo. That's The Truth contains Littleton's masterful shuffles and playful beats. The most surprising track is Billy Joe Shaver's country and western Tramp On Your Street.

In an age where musical styles have been blurred and misnamed, this 51-year-old remains an authentic American bluesman. For over 20 years, he has brought great joy to blues fans with his singing slide guitar and friendly, honest voice. Yes, his songs do become repetitious, and each album tends to blend into the next. Not all of these new songs contain deep poetry. Some have been created simply to have fun. However, don't be fooled into thinking this is a raucous, wild party without purpose. On Rattleshake, Lil' Ed is in touch with his inner self and it is expressed via jovial melodies and tough blues.

This is the first CD that I got from this band, I must say is great. This is the best blues CD that I ever bought in months. It has a lot of energy on it and a great sound. So great job for Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials. I can't wait to see the playing live.

wow! Ed rocks the blues! thanks for getting this here so fast! id recomend buying here if you get the chance!

I heard some of these songs on cable blues station......had to have Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials for my very own! Some songs sound a bit like Stevie Ray Vaughn's style. But my fav is Icicles in my Meatloaf.

'Icicles In My Meat Loaf' after the same name as the song, he would have sold more copies maybe, that song title alone is worth the price of admission, so funny and the song itself ain't half bad, I heard it on Bluesville on XM radio and that's what attracted me to it here, I have one of his other CD's but I don't think that one's as good as this one. And after all it's just my opinion. That's why I only gave it 4 stars.

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I don't intend to be mean, since Lil' Ed seems like a nice fun guy, but this is nothing but a lounge act, or juke joint band. He may be fun after you've had 10 beers, and everybody is sweating on you on the dance floor, but this is definitely not powerful electric blues. Ed's voice has no dynamic features at all. In fact there are only 2 songs on the CD that I would ever listen to more than twice. Obviously, Ed has a sense of humor, based on his "Icicles In My Meatloaf" song, but other than one other song, there is no "Blues Meat" on this CD. To be frank, I doubt anyone with real blues expertise and experience could possibly rate this above mediocre. Again, I'm sorry Lil' Ed, but just like the Budweiser Clydesdale's, though they are horses, you don't see anyone betting on them in the Kentucky Derby! Shaq says you need to decide if you want to order meatloaf.

I have ordered this CD, but have not received it yet. But, I have heard it LIVE....and it is FANTASTIC! This is by far the best rocking hip shaking blues that you will hear anywhere. If you have not heard this Band yet, do yourself a favor and do it...SOON! You will not be disappointed and buy the CD...it's great!

This is enjoyable but nothing special. It is raucous, raw, electric blues played by artists having a good time. Saw them on Conan, loved how Lil Ed jumped on the table. They are probably a fun band to see in an intimate setting. This is what the White Stripes wish they souded like...having a legit, blues creedo