Shakedown Tim – Way Up!
Rhythm Bomb Records
11 tracks/36 minutes
Shakedown Tim and his band hail from Belgium and they are just a rocking good blues band! They have now recorded three albums, but it has been since 2018 that they released one. They also recently appeared on the release of the James Harmon album The Blues Moose Session on New Shot Records, also from 2018.
The band is Shakedown Tim on vocals and guitar, Ilias Scotch on the piano, Hammond B3 and Philicorda organ, and on backing vocals, Kurt Lens on upright bass and backing vocals and Koen Van Peteghem on drums, percussion, and backing vocals. Also featured on the album are Steven Troch on backing vocals, jaw harp, and harmonicas, Naomi Sijmons on vocals, Little Walter on a couple of tracks on vocals and barking, Bart Stoneon sax, Bird Stevens on one tracks for percussion, and, last but not least, James Harman moaning and groaning and adding voodoo percussion on the next to last track.
“Feed My Body to the Fishes” opens the CD and it’s a winner. Romping and rollicking piano, ringing guitar, and vibrant vocals are featured here, paying homage to the sounds of Mississippi. Troch and Scotch help out on “Messin’ With the Blues,” a pretty little blues number that they nailed in one take. Next is “Tiny Legs, Big Soul” which celebrates Tiny Legs Tim. Acoustic guitar, harp and jaw harp take the listener to the Delta in this slick and bouncy cut. Slow blues is the order of the day with “My Love IS Real,” a solemn piece where Tim testifies to his devout ardor The piano and guitar supplement the emotions of the vocals nicely.
Eddie Boyd’s “Driftin’” follows, with Shakedown Tim and the band giving us some great jump blues. The upright bass and piano are featured here along with Tim’s efforts and I have to say it’s a winner. “Way Down” features a resonator and harp as the band twists and jives their way through a cool number with a wicked vibe. “You’re the Boss” is the first of two duets with Naomi Sijmons. She gives us a sexy performance as she and Tim spar vocally as to their appeal to each other. Amos Milburn’s “Real Crazy” is a delightful shuffle recorded with a live performance feeling. The guitar is vibrant, the piano is exquisite, and Tim and the boys deliver another fine cut to savor.
The barking cut is “ Frolic Time,” a swinging tune with barrelhouse piano, nice guitar picking and old time sounding vocals. “A Sinner’s Gospel” is the track featuring James Harmon. It is dirty, unique and totally cool. Slide guitar and a gutsy sound are a super slooooooow blues to enjoy. The final cut, “Close the Door,” is aptly named and it’s an instrumental with some nice B3 and powerful guitar licks. It jumps and jives with some sweet sax added to the mix.
These guys are the real deal. Tim and his band are truly outstanding bluesmen who have an authentic and super sound. I enjoyed the album a lot and I think it is something most blues fans would really enjoy! Tim is fantastic and I have to say that Scotch is a madman on the keys. Go try this one out: you won’t be disappointed!
