Second Nature

Carey Bell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 29, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Alligator Records
• ASIN: B00029RTGC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #257,648 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In January 1991, during a Scandinavian tour, this spontaneous, exuberant acoustic father-and-son collaboration was captured live in the studio in a single three-hour session. The Chicago duo (dad Carey on harp and vocals with offspring Lurrie on guitar and vocals) blows through warhorses such as "Key to the Highway," "Five Long Years," and "Rock Me" (better known as "Rock Me Baby"), and even the originals are based on standard blues progressions. But there's a fire and intensity here that transcends the familiar turf. Both exude a relaxed passion, neither stealing the spotlight as they play from the soul. The clear, fly-on-the-wall, no-frills production makes it sound like you're sitting next to them as they perform for the sheer love of music. Stripped of any pretense or excess baggage, this is undiluted, straightforward, and magnificent blues performed with grace and dignity by city men with their hearts in the Delta. --Hal Horowitz

Product Description

During a 1991 tour of Finland, lucky Scandinavian blues fans heard some of that magic as Carey and Lurrie began performing acoustic numbers together on stage as part of their set, often bringing the audience to their feet. The tour promoter, Chip Covington, decided he needed to capture this true blues acoustic miracle on tape. An impromptu recording session was set up and—with no rehearsal and no overdubs—Carey and Lurrie laid down the tracks for their first and only acoustic album, each in one take.

The recording is timeless, sounding as vibrant and relaxed as the day it was recorded. The intimate session includes six original songs and spine-chilling versions of timeless blues classics—plus the gospel standard "Trouble In My Way" and the surprising Lurrie interpretation of Smokey Robinson’s "Here I Go Again." With Carey’s harmonica alternating between raucous power and sweet sophistication and Lurrie’s guitar work moving seamlessly from raw intensity to smoky elegance, the two play off each other almost telepathically. And as both men sing with deep soul feeling, each and every song on Second Nature is a blues revelation

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars unbelievable, August 8, 2004

By 

J. B Lepp - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Second Nature (Audio CD)

It's warm. It's raw. It's no-frills. Just straight blues with a chaser of father/ son love.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Father & Son Team Up, April 15, 2005

By 

tgfabthunderbird (York, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Second Nature (Audio CD)

This early 90's recording of Carey and Lurrie Bell in Scandinavia has finally seen the light of day, and it's long overdue.

The Bells lock right in with each other on a number of tunes, including "Stop Running Around," "Keys to the Highway" and "Five Long Years." On the latter, Carey makes sure people know Eddie Boyd wrote this one, giving props to an old friend and underrated musician.

Lurrie has had his personal difficulties in the past, and some have said you'd think he didn't know what he was doing with a guitar some nights. This time, he's right on it, with some excellent acoustic work and Carey's harp wizardry.

The arrangements are simple and sparse, but that's how it all began. This is an excellent bit of their history.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good blues, February 27, 2009

By 

Todd A. Hooper - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Second Nature (Audio CD)

This is an enjoyable disc. I've listened a lot. Some of the songs are iffy, but all in all it's worth it.