John Primer – Grown In Mississippi
Blues House Productions
14 tracks 55 minutes
As the title tells, John Primer was “Grown In Mississippi.” Born and raised in Camden, Mississippi to a sharecropping family, John lived the blues as he grew up. Hearing the blues and Gospel as a kid gave him a true appreciation for the music that he embraced and brought to his new home in Chicago. Primer first played for tips on Maxwell Street and then advanced into Theresa’s Lounge to play with and lead the bands for many a great legend including Magic Slim, Junior Wells, Willie Dixon, and Muddy Waters. He started his own Real Deal Band in 1995 and for over 30 years he’s become a legend himself. He returned to his old home state to produced this album and landed in Gary Vincent’s studio in Clarksdale to make this album.
The album features an all-star cast. Guest appearances by Bobby Rush, Charlie Musselwhite, Watermelon Slim, Eden Brent, Lightnin’ Malcolm, and Deak Harp help to make this a special tribute to John’s home state. Rickey ’Quicksand” Martin is on drums ecept for a pair of cuts wit Lee Williams, Harvell Thomas Jr. play bass. Billy Earheart is on piano and keys for a few cuts and Steve Bell is on harp for a couple of tracks.
John kicks off this album with “John’s Blues Holler,” a short acapella cut with crickets accompanying him and the sounds of a tambourine that are like leg chains rattling along with the beat. It’s a beautifully done piece and emotional stuff. Then it’s time for some sweet guitar on “Born In Mississippi.” Done in Elmore James style, Prime plays some meanly cool licks and sings with feeling. It’s just him and his electric guitar and done so well!
Leroy’s Carr’s “Blues Before Sunrise” follows. Deak Harp provides some nice greasy harp and Earheart’s piano work is slick. John sings with passion and picks out some pretty stuff. It’s a great cover and Primer continues to dsipaly his process on guitar. Willie Dixon’s “Down In The Bottom” is next. Primer sings and plays with controlled abandon and Watermelon Slim adds some great dobro; the piano is also a super addition to the cut.
“Walkin’ Blues” is a Muddy Waters song that Primer turns in a sweet performance on. John states, “He feels like going back home,” and gives us something that truly is a Mississippi gem. His guitar along with Lightnin’ Malcom’s resonate with the same feeling as do the well done vocals. Next is “Nothing But A Chicken Wing” with the legendary Bobby Rush on harp. John pays tribute to the Chitterling Circuit with this funky and cool cut. Rush squawks out some neat stuff, Primer plays us a grooving guitar lead and this new track gets you feeling like dancing to the groove. Bobby and Primer show us that two great old bluesmen still have it. Rush at 91 and Primer at 80 are still bringing it.
“A Better Day” is a great slow blues with more nice piano and organ by Earheart. Primer plays some restrained and outstanding guitar on this one and Steve Bell adds his ever satisfying harp. “When I Met The Blues” is another good little original with John singing with his soulfulness and picking out some fine notes to savor with some sweet help by Lightnin’ Malcom adding his guitar to the mix. The two axe men play off each other here with a nice hill country vibe!
Joe Williams’ “Baby Please Don’t Go” features Charlie Musselwhite trading harp licks with John;s vocals and guitar. Both guys offer up some delightful solos and instrumental duets. “Let Me Be Your Electrician” is Louisiana Red cut. Watermelon Slim comes back with more dobro and Steve Bell plays some excellent harp to help out. Beautiful slow blues with a soulful vocal performance on John’s Step Father’s favorite song.
“Shame Shame Shame” is an old Jimmy Reed tune Musselwhite lays out many a pretty harp lick and Primer give us some special guitar to enjoy. It’s a jumping number and just a fun cover to enjoy. The old traditional “Lay My Burdens Down” has John’s daughter Aliya join him for the lead vocals and Eden Brent on the piano, organ and backing vocals along with John and Gary Vincent. This spiritual is done with deep feeling and is an uplifting performance. Gary Vincent is on bass for this one. Rosalind Wilcox adds tambourine and Aliya sings ethereally in angelic tones on this fine cut.
The last two tracks are a couple of more originals. “Ain’t Kickin’ Up No Dust” features Deak Harp on the Mississippi saxophone and it’s a cool and nicely done song. The final cut with John’s take on an old cut entitled “ John’s Crawdad Song.” It’s the first song John learned to play on his diddley bow. Bassist Gary Vincent adds jaw harp and triangle for a downhome touch. A sweet finale to a great new album!
John’s tribute to Mississippi as his home state is filled with emotion and feeling. Each song is a vibrant call back to the home of his younger days that created one of the last of the old school bluesmen. I have loved his earlier work but this may be John’s finest album. I see it destined to garner notice and consideration for many awards this coming year. He has done s fantastic job creating new songs and covering some amazing cuts to deliver fourteen powerful tracks for blues lovers to enjoy. Go get this album now– you will not regret it!
