Kim Wilson – Slow Burn
MC Records MC0096
12 songs – 51 minutes
A leading light in the blues world since forming the Fabulous Thunderbirds in the ’70s, harp player Kim Wilson has an enduring love for the multitude of musicians he’s played with through the years, and he plays tribute to three of them — pianist Barrelhouse Chuck Goering, bassist Larry Taylor and drummer Richard Innes – with this tremendous follow-up to The Bigtone Sessions, which earned him a Grammy nomination a few years ago.
The keyboard player and rhythm giants have all joined the big band in the sky in recent years, but they get to live again – and for you to enjoy – with this set, which combines sessions Wilson recorded for other projects in 2014 and 2020.
All of the material here is never-before released and fresh-out-of-the box, lovingly assembled by guitarist Nathan James, who plays guitar on seven of the 12 cuts and bass on another. The roster includes Wisconsin-based six-string master Billy Flynn along with Bob Welsh, who sits in on guitar and piano for one cut.
West Coast stalwarts Marty Dotson and Malachi Johnson share duties on percussion when Innes isn’t at the kit while Troy Sandow handles bass when Taylor’s not around. Johnny Viau makes an appearance on horns on two tracks. And Jon Atkinson drops in on guitar for a cut, too.
A mix of four originals and eight well-conceived covers, the set opens with Little Milton’s “I’m Trying,” a medium-tempo complaint that drinking rye whiskey, beer, gin and wine can’t erase thoughts about a lady who’s gone her separate way. Kim’s powerful tenor drives home the message accompanied by Nathan’s stinging lines on the strings.
The theme flips with Wilson’s “Leaving You on My Mind.” A 30-second circular run on the reeds set the tone before James and Dotson join in before Kim vows that — this time – he’s gone for good. His harp playing is featured throughout. Innes, Taylor, Barrelhouse and Billy Flynn are all on board and get a chance to shine for a powerful, unhurried take on B.B. King’s “Sweet Little Angel” before Kim blows the back off of his rapid-fire, dazzling instrumental, “Boogie in E.”
All of the featured principals are on board and as tight as can be for Howlin’ Wolf’s “Howlin’ for My Darlin’,” which flows perfectly into Sonny Boy Williamson II’s cautionary warning to his lady, “Keep Our Business to Yourself.” Barrelhouse Chuck’s two-fisted fills and runs are featured beneath Kim’s dagger-sharp harp lines as Innes maintains a perfect beat.
Another blast from the past comes in the form of Robert Nighthawk’s “The Time Has Come” and has all the featured artists on board. Themed like “Leavin’,” Wilson announces he’s heading for the door for a final time and the woman can’t do anything to stop him. He follows it up with the original complaint, “Lowdown Women,” which describes a lady with a bottle in her hand and mean things on her mind, and she wants to do is walk the street. Welsh sits in and helps brighten and lighten the load next with a take on Magic Sam’s “Easy Baby.”
Kim demonstrates his prowess on the tin whistle one more time with the uptempo, self-penned workout “Gotta Have a Horse” before Innes, Chuck and Taylor breathe life into the set for a final time, covering Nighthawk’s “Kansas City.” A take on Otis Rush’s “So Many Roads” brings the disc to a close.
This album is traditional, old-school blues in every way, and there’s a little bit of heaven in every note. Strongly recommended.
