Relisten

View NotesPlayers:
Charles Atkins - keyboards & vocals
The Blues Boys
Larry Laseur - harmonica & backup vocals
Harty Wiedemann - guitar, vocal $
-- Tom Henning - guitar

with Scott Schieve guitar & RC - drums

Notes:
So - Tom is done for and Scott Schieve is the new guitarist, meaning we have 2 styles of lead guitar now and a bit of a guitar battle as they work out the parts. Sometimes it's good, other songs are off; Scott's learning new stuff as he goes, Harty is reaching a bit. Most of the originals from the tape release "Animal Called the Blues" were practiced this night, as well as some new covers. Track 3 - Rockin' Robin - some old rock-n-roll, is cool; Scott finds a good rhythm and check out Larry learning the chorus - funny.

In My Baby's Arms is a new song, Charles said a derivative of Motherless Child, and it is a great one. Charles solo with the Rhodes, but after track 6 he's looking for a guitar and Scott steps up on track 7. Of course after passing at first, Harty doesn't wanna be left out now and jumps in at the 3:50 mark. Reputation and Tell Mama, both originals from ACTB, feature Charles' voice of authority while Scott brings in some new licks to freshen them up. Good mix for a change, and Scott's first guitar solo on Tell Mama is just right. Larry is blowing in, out and around Charles as he should, while Harty attempts the second guitar solo - "Vamp on out, on the 1".

Two Women is OK; then the next 3 tracks, 10-12, are from ACTB.  Not the Liar has a cool start (altho I'm late on the tape) and then it jumps right up for the next 5 minutes. Scott has a nice solo at 4:30 and the 2 actually merge their licks near the end. She Ain't Giving It Up doesn't seem to groove - it's a reggae song, I kept saying. "Yeah Harty, you gotta get that lick in there". After this, Charles really wants to sing Man's World. Harty takes the first solo but by 3:20, Scott is getting in some good background licks, then at 5:10, playing with Charles.  Down Home Blues - drive it guys. This is followed by Fever, finger snaps and all, nice groove. But then Every Day ain't so good, guitar is off. Ditto for MOJO. However that is what practice is for. After some noodling, they do Stop Breakin' Down, a long-time Harty song; don't think I ever recorded this one in practice before. Sugar Sweet and Tobacco Road finish up the band session.

End of practice, tape rolling, Charles and his Rhodes solo, and here come 3 of his more personal songs. Doesn't get any better. Track 23 - BB the Greatest Bluesman which he just introduced a few days ago.  Everyday I Must Pray for My Friend is wonderful. Let me say that again - Everyday I Must Pray for My Friend is wonderful. And finally he closes the night with Since You've Been Gone - another recent original.   Enjoy!