Delta Hardware

Charlie Musselwhite

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 16, 2006)
• Original Release Date: May 16, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Real World
• ASIN: B000EMG6VG
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #64,334 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Blues > Harmonica Blues

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

As authentic as the lines on his forehead and his droopy eyes, veteran bluesman Charlie Musselwhite gets better with age. (At 62, he's a respected survivor with dozens of albums to his credit.) On Delta Hardware the journeyman musician pays tribute to, and revels in, his Mississippi roots. Although he's spent time in Chicago and on the West Coast, for this album of churning swamp and deep Southern blues he taps his formative years in the town of Kosciusko. Musselwhite's poignant voice and crying harmonica convey loss and sadness on the tense, swirling "Black Water," one of two tracks dealing with Hurricane Katrina. His full-bodied, amplified harp cuts like Paul Butterfield and especially Little Walter, two of whose songs he covers here. Give Musselwhite's backing group credit too, especially guitarist Chris "Kid" Anderson, who slices into the slow, riff-based, Walter-penned "Just a Feeling" with Ronnie Earl-styled precision. Even on the straight-ahead shuffle of "Blues for Yesterday," the band nails a sweaty, edgy groove that's as genuine as it is driving. Producer Chris Goldsmith keeps the sound lean, mean, and just muddy enough to conjure images of the band churning out these dark, dusky Delta blues on a porch in the midst of a sweltering summer's night. The no-frills approach is perfect for Musselwhite's otherworldly harp playing to express his years and miles on the endless blues highway. --Hal Horowitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blues Lovers Must Not Miss This CD!, June 8, 2006

By	Thomas B. Martin (Connecticut USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As anyone who truly loves the blues already knows, the music of Charlie Musselwhite is as authentic as it gets! I've loved Charlie's music for well over a decade, and I have to say I am really excited that this CD captures his "Mississippi roots" better than any CD he has released in years! For those who are new to Charlie's music, this is the one to buy!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST YET!!!, December 4, 2006

By	Douglas H. Bloom - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Charlie Musselwhite, a Blues icon as the best harp player in the world, has done it again. Every CD he does seems to get better and better. My favorite song on this CD, "Jump and Shout,'cause church is out", is destined to become a classic. This CD rocks with high energy. If you don't know Charlie's work, this CD would be a great introduction.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sure glad I found this CD!, November 7, 2006

By	M.H. Flinterman (Utrecht, the Netherlands) - See all my reviews

I found this CD in a music store in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands. I only knew Charlie of the song "Radio Boogie" he did with Elvin Bishop, on Bishop's "The Skin I'm In" album. Wow! Is this good blues or what?! I especially like 'Church's out' and 'Blues for yesterday'. Already classic! I'm going to check out Charlie's other albums right now!