Customer Reviews

The Well

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Two things you'll always get from Charlie Musselwhite: A shimmering blues harp and sincerity.

On The Well, Charlie delivers both, in what is perhaps his best album to date. The Well, aptly named because Charlie went deep for these numbers, features 13 fresh bourbon-drenched blues tunes, including two instrumentals: "Sonny Payne Special" and "Clarksdale Getaway."

What you won't find are threadbare blues calisthenics. Each song is well-written and executed by a tight band in sync with Charlie's soul. At age 66, his voice is as fresh as ever and his song-writing is heart-felt and honest.

If you're new to Charlie Musselwhite, this is a great place to start. But you'll want to work your way back and get Delta Hardware and One Night in America.

For Musselwhite fans and those with a penchant for blues harp, this is it.

They don't make 'em like this anymore.

If you wondering whether to get this cd or not--I have a tip: TYPE FAST AND BUY IT! You will be glad you did.
You have fast blues, slow blues, haunting harp blues...all of it on one cd. This cd is jam packed with ear candy..from the lyrics, the vocals, the instrumental harp digging deep in your soul and believe me your soul will be filled!!! I just saw Charlie in person and he was phenomenal! He is true dirt and grit blues and so is this cd.

Come experience the blues dripping off reeds. Charlie Musselwhite's return to Alligator Records -- where he recorded three successful albums in the early 1990s -- is his first recording where he wrote every track on the album. In addition to re-establishing himself on Alligator, the harmonica master, vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist also re-constructs himself as a traditional blues artist on The Well. The music here is quite different from the contemporary sounds he produced on his two previous discs on RealWorld Records.

Yes those trademark spoken-like vocals of Musselwhite's abound on this 48-minute disc. You will also hear his Deep South influences (especially in his traditional acoustic guitar), probing and jazz-influenced harmonica, and overall laid-back sensibility. The band was brought together by producer Chris Goldsmith. The Well was recorded in Los Angeles with guitarist Dave Gonzales (Paladins, Hacienda Brothers), bassist John Bazz (The Blasters), and drummer Stephen Hodges (Tom Waits, Mavis Staples).

"Rambler's Blues" kick things off. Melodically it sounds like Muddy Waters' "You Need Love". However, the exclusive lyrics reveal Musselwhite's passion to roam and ramble. The title track sounds like it could have come from the Delta Hardware recording sessions, but the song evolved naturally during the sessions for The Well. It's a rockin' number with a sound that is a throwback to the '50s. The song reveals the inspiration which provided Musselwhite the courage to be brave and face his alcohol addiction. In December 2005, Musselwhite's mother was murdered in her Memphis home. "Sad and Beautiful World" comes from the things he wanted to say after that tragic event. The highly-emotional song mixes a very sweet melody with tragic lyrics. The harp shares the anguish of the lyrics. With special guest and longtime friend, Mavis Staples, Charlie sings the tragic yet uplifting words, "Blues heal what's been torn apart/Let the river heal my heart". Hoodoo Queen sounds mysterious and spooky. It reveals the harp blower's fascination with Marie Laveau, the Hoodoo Queen. Like a good novel, this song takes some time, three minutes in particular, to develop. "Cook County Blues" features southern country-styled fast finger guitar picking, which is ironic given the song, is about being arrested in the northern city of Chicago.

With a full and big sounding guitar, rich harp, and thumping upright bass, "Dig The Pain" demonstrates the sound of West Coast jump/swing music. You also hear that sound, which combines '50s Chicago blues with post-War Texas blues on the instrumental "Sonny Payne Special". "Just You, Just Blues" contains one of those ultra-catchy grooves that naturally gets imbedded in your memory. Musselwhite has created such grooves time again throughout his almost 50-year career, most recently on "Church Is Out" from Delta Hardware. This song isn't as rocking as Church but the potent rhythm, masterful guitar, and soaring harp are the best the CD has to offer.

Throughout, the harp skitters with emotion. Musselwhite plays his sensational mouth organ like a freewheeling piano man barreling up and down the 88s, and he possesses the innate ability to use his wistful Mississippi saxophone to carry your troubles away like a brisk wind. As a bonus, Musselwhite performs guitar on a couple tracks which sound like they came straight from the front porch of a Mississippi tin shack.

With 30 solo albums to his credit, Musselwhite has also appeared on numerous recordings as a featured player with Tom Waits, Eddie Vedder, Ben Harper, John Lee Hooker, Bonnie Raitt, Blind Boys Of Alabama, INXS, and most recently, Cyndi Lauper. He was inducted into the Blues Foundation's Blues Hall Of Fame in 2010, has been nominated for six Grammy Awards and has won 23 Blues Music Awards.

Most of the thirteen songs on The Well are simple and basic blues tunes. What stand out the most are the southern themes and southern rhythms. All the songs are autobiographical and reflect plenty of Musselwhite's remarkable past. In reflecting on the past, it sets the stage for what may lay ahead for Musselwhite which is a deep well of treasured music. The system won't let me rate this as 3.5 so I am rounding up to 4.

Tim Holek

Charlie Musselwhite has cut a lot of fine music over the years, and this is certainly one of the finest albums of his career. As usual, his harp playing is just great; he goes a lot of places other players don't even try, and pulls it off brilliantly. He also has a great grounding in traditional blues, so he can return to the roots when he needs to. The other highlight of this album is the songwriting, which is a lot deeper than the average blues writing, without being heavy or pretentious. The vocals are honest and straightforward, the band is simple (in a good way) and tight, and the harp work is terrific. What more can you ask of a blues record?

Charlie Musselwhite sounds like the blues. All original songs here that take you to the Delta. The music evokes the sights, sounds and smells of the Mississippi Delta. He has absorbed the blues from the greats and his own experience, he can't help but sound authentic. He is the greatest blues harmonica player living today to my ears. The guitar player compliments the songs with fine Chicago and Mississippi riffs. If you aren't familiar with good blues, this is the place to start!

Is the album great? Ya..but all the reviewers forgot one thing. As good as the album is --it ain't nothing compared to this guy in person! I took 6 people with different musical tastes, who had never heard of Charlie Musselwhite, to his concert here in Seattle last night at the Triple Door. From the 1st song on he had them all in the palm of his hand. Charlie and his band were just phenomenal...absolutely mind blowing. If you have to drive 500 miles to see this guy...then do it! You will be glad you did.

Excellent cd by the best harp player ever. I'd rate it as his best, or 2nd best alblum ever. Both the words and the music are riveting.

The music is good but not Charlie's best. My benchmark is Stand Back which includes, great guitarist, Harvey Mandel. Unfortunately, the CD arrived with a broken case...not a big enough deal to send it back, just a little irritating.

Charlie Musselwhite uses Mississippi blues, Memphis blues and good old Chicago city blues on this fine album. Charlie's signature sound comes from his decades of experience. His masterful harmonica playing works well with this wonderful band. Each track on this album is like a chapter from Charlie's own life, with personal stories and personal meanings. A mighty fine album with class!

I enjoyed the music from The Well and the CD materials which gave me further insights into Charlie Musselwhite's past. Like most (all?) blues players, he draws on his past challenges to produce songs with meaning and emotion. I must admit that I'm not crazy about his voice on some songs, but I do like his vocals on "Sad and Beautiful World" and his vocals earlier in his career. I think the "softness" that he uses on that particular song would work well for him in the future.