JB & the Hüggeli – Live at Smukfest 2024
JB Records JB029CD
11 songs – 52 minutes
Established as a trio in 2015 to perform Saturday afternoon sets at Eydes Kælder, a club in Horsens, Denmark, JB & the Hüggeli have been thrilling audiences across Europe in multiple expanded formats since their breakthrough appearance at the Gothenburg Blues Festival three years later. And the ensemble were swinging from the hip in this set, which was captured live at Smukfest in the tourist town of Skanderborg two years ago.
The group is composed of seasoned musicians who’ve worked with top European artists for decades. They’re led by guitarist/vocalist Jesper Bjarnesen, who’s teamed with bassist Jais K. Eriksen and drummer Oscar “Big O” Eriksen since their formation. Their first release, Thank You Blues, got worldwide airplay in 2020 thanks to its deep-in-the-beat combination of Texas- and Chicago-based material. Shortly before its release, Hanse Jensen came aboard on tenor sax.
The Hüggeli also joined forces with Austin-based guitar legend Alan Haynes in 2023 for the single, “Not From Texas,” and released a second studio album, The Blues Supadupa, featuring a full horn section, last year. And – as on this performance – the quartet are often joined by keyboard player Josef Baumgartner and their longtime producer, guitarist Henrik Striver.
It’s a powerful set that the group never had any intention of releasing. But in after-thought and after giving it another listen, it proved to be so much fun that they decided it deserved to be heard by more than folks than were present on the August day that they played.
The action kicks off with a propulsive cover of T-Bone Walker’s “T-Bone Shuffle,” and Bjarnesen vocals stand out as his bandmates sway steadily in support. Baumgartner’s extended solo shines mid-tune. The first of six originals penned by Jesper, “Showtime Blues” keeps the heat on high as it announces the band’s intent to play the blues and never stop. Their behind-the-beat delivery drives the message home. The tempo picks up slightly and the guitars and horn come to the fore for the original, “When I’m in Love.” It’s a celebration of having a companion at your side.
Then the band uses their talents to rework four familiar, but well-conceived oldies, beginning with Freddie King’s instrumental, “San Ho Zay.” It gives way to a medium-fast take on B.B. King’s “Never Make Your Move too Soon,” which features another impressive keyboard workout, before the group dive in to the songbook of Lonnie Mack for a slow, molasses-sweet version of “Stop.” A pendulum-perfect take on Duke Robillard’s “Too Hot to Handle” follows, features Big O on the mic and leads into a run of four originals that bring the action to a close.
The action slows for “A Few Things” and opens with a line borrowed from B.B. – “I live the life I love and love the life I live” before issuing a prayer that, when the singer’s time to pass arrives, he hopes that “the folks up there” knew he tried to do good. But he still requests that he get everything he wants, and that includes pretty girls, good food and all the whiskey that he desires.
The mood brightens with “Blues House Party,” which celebrates good barbeque, good friends and more while giving everyone space to shine before “Ain’t It Good” adopts an initial Delta feel to honor the desire to do right despite living in a world of trouble. The action finishes with the rapid-fire, guitar-fueled “Get My Baby Back,” which bemoans committing crimes of passion while on the road but promises willingness to do anything to make up for the indiscretions.
Sure, the sound quality might not be up to par with what the Hüggeli normally produce, but it’s still pretty good. This is one mighty fine set that genuinely deserved the light of day. Give it a spin. I’m sure you’ll agree.
