Customer Reviews

Vu-Du Menz

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

 

 

Henry Butler being little known outside of blues circles and New Orleans, where he is slowly but surely approaching legendary status, my friends often ask me to describe this music of which I am always speaking so highly. My standard reply has become, "If Mozart had decided to go into blues and funk, he would play the piano like Henry Butler." His voice might be described in a similar manner, replacing "Mozart" and "play the piano" with "Pavarotti" and "sing" (the voice comparison is more appropriate than one might think--he has a very unique, powerful, and loud classically-trained voice). If the word about him escaped to the mainstream, his pure technical mastery, knowledge, and creativity could very well turn him into a household name almost overnight, which would be saying something for a blues artist in this day and age.

Butler's blues style is centered around taking standard, irrestible New Orleans piano riffs made famous by artists like Professor Longhair, James Booker, and Dr. John, and attacking them with a strong, unbelievably rythmic left hand, then putting a jazz-influenced right hand with no limitations on top. As George Winston describes him in the liner notes to "Orleans Inspiration," he is easily a "one-man band" The result is a very new, exciting, downhome, funky, and very often "out-there" style of blues.

When I saw that Alligator paired him with Corey Harris, an artist whom one could transplant right into the age of Robert Johnson and never know that he didn't belong, my first reaction was one of pure curiousity.

The music and guitar playing of Corey Harris, in a way, can be considered just as "modern" as the artistry of Butler. While Butler is attempting to take the blues places it never imagined it could go, Harris is taking the blues right back to where it started, and in a way which few other artists, if any, have been able. Whatever the exact ingredients are that made up classic delta blues around the 1920s, Harris knows them all backwards and forwards. On the other hand, many artists attempting to accomplish a similar feat either come off as indecisive as to how to put a modern spin on it, or simply "pretenders".

And yet, despite each artist being so different from the other, on "Vu-Du Menz," they both hit upon a common ground which allows them to create an intense, funky, and often very introspective take on traditional blues which could not be equaled by a pairing of any other two musicians. It's Delta Blues meets Professor Longhair meets The Meters. The only complaint one could have about this album is that they are not paired up for every song on the CD, opting to do some solo performances. Those songs are outstanding and intriguing as well, but we can get those when those two are not busy creating a classic album together.

While every song on this album can be considered "a highlight" as well as an entity unto itself (the variety was carefully and perfectly thought out), there are three songs which deserve three asteriks instead of just two. "Mulberry Row" is a mean-sounding, funky blues tribute to Sally Hemmings (how many other songs could one describe in the same manner?). "If You Let a Man Kick You Once" is a light, dixieland-influenced piece that might leave one wondering exactly how a song with such a classic, catchy melody and lyric made it through almost an entire century of blues without somebody else writing it. "Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel?", in which Harris takes a solo turn, is a quiet and slow yet powerful take on a traditional tune that might lead the listener to shut off every thought and sound around except for the rough beauty of Harris' voice and understated guitar playing.

This album has already been received by many in the industry with rave reviews. As with all classic albums, as times goes on, all will probably realize just how truly special a pairing "Vu-Du Menz" represents.

**Also recommended for Henry Butler fans: the out-of-print, larger-than-life "Orleans Inspiration," live from Tipitina's in 1989**

Being a big Henry Butler fan, I was very interested to hear that he had collaborated on an album with Corey Harris. I wasn't sure what to expect, but what I didn't expect was an album that is a joy to listen to from the first song to the last. With a very generous 15 cuts, there is barely a weak moment on the disc. The songs on the album are at the same time soulful, upbeat, and catchy. Stand-outs include: "Mullberry Row", "If You Let A man Kick You Once", and "No Substitute For Love". The production is crisp and clean. Corey Harris' voice is strong and forceful and Henry Butler's piano is crystal clear and mixed just right. If you are a fan of Blues piano, this is a must have album. I love it more and more every day. You can play it loud or as background music.

Corey Harris, perhaps the most innovative new artist on the blues scene today, traveled from his Charlottesville, VA home to team with Louisiana jazz pianist Henry Butler for an album that fuses delta and Crescent City blues and jazz styles. The subject matter ranges from political to spiritual to social to just plain fun. This cd is fresh and smart, and forges new territory in roots music.

Yet another masterful recording from Corey Harris! This album includes Harris and pianist Henry Butler. Henry Butler is an extraordinary player, and his playing and Corey's accompany each other excellently. High points on this recording include "Let Em' Roll," "Mulberry Lane," and Shake What Your Mame Gave You." Harris once again has crafted an excellent recording with many fine songs.A must-get!

VU DU MENZ COMBINES THE PIANO PROWNESS OF HENRY BUTLER AND THE NATIONAL RESONATOR GUITAR OF COREY HARRIS WITH BOTH MEN SHARING AND ALTERNATING THE VOCALS. THOSE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE VOCALS OF HENRY BUTLER SHOULD CLICK ON "LET 'EM ROLL" OR CHECK OUT ONE OF BUTLERS PREVIOUS CD'S SUCH AS "BLUES AFTER SUNSET". PRIOR TO THIS CD THESE TWO INDIVIDUALS COLLABORATED ON A COUPLE OF TUNES ON COREY'S "GREENS FROM THE GARDEN" CD. APPARENTLY AT THAT TIME THEY DECIDED TO RECORD AN ENTIRE CD TOGETHER. THE RESULT IS VU DU MENZ AND THE DUO PERFORMS VERY WELL TOGETHER. BUTLERS PIANO PLAYING GIVES THIS CD AN OVERALL FAMILIAR NEW ORLEANS BLUES SOUND. THIS CD WILL APPEAL TO FANS OF DR. JOHN, PROFESSOR LONGHAIR, JAMES BOOKER, AND OTHER PIANO ORIENTED BLUES BANDS. OVERALL A GOOD EFFORT. MY ACTUAL RATING IS 4.5!

This is a good album. I am a big Corey Harris fan, and although I really like this album, I didn't feel as though it was as creative as "Greens from the Garden." However, this album is modern acoustic blues at its best. Henry Butler's piano and voice lend a new voice to the album, and there some musically and socially powerful tracks on this album. "King Cotton" and "Mulberry Row" are incredible tracks that really carry the album along with "Didn'y My Lord Deliver Daniel?". Another good album from a man who you MUST see live if given the opportunity.

"Shake What Your Mama Gave You" is simply one of Harris' best compositions. "If You Let A Man Kick You Once" is also excellent, and seems to be in the Tampa Red/Georgia Tom tradition. "Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel" is quite emotive and recalls the greatness of the Texas evangelist, Blind Willie Johnson, one of the best slide guitar players in history. As a Country Blues fan, I enjoy Butler's piano playing but am not enthralled by it, thus I am giving this album 4 stars.