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R.L. Burnside

"Mr. Wizard’"

Fat Possum 80301-2

R.L. (Rural) Burnside was born in 1926 in Oxford, Mississippi. His guitar teachers were Ranie Burnett and Fred McDowell. He tried to make a go of it in chicago and Memphis but came home to Mississippi in 1959 where he married, opened up a bar and started a band. Eventually he grew enough kids to form an all family band. In 1979 his hard times began to let up when he was rediscovered by American and European fans. Finally able to realize his dream of buying some land, he still tours and hopefully will come back to town where I can pay appropriate allegiance.

Even with the electric modernizing, the cuts on this 1997 disc are very much influenced by an earthy, rhythmic African sound. Over the Hill displays the classic pick and slide of this icon. His strong, hi-pitched vocals belie his 72 years of age. He hasn't gone over the hill yet. Alice Mae is a wild party with Kenny Brown, Jon Spencer and Judah Bauer sharing the guitar cacophony with Mr. Burnside. How Russell Simins manages to keep up with them on the drums is beyond me.

Along with R.L. and Kenny Brown on guitars Georgia Women has grandson, cedric Burnside, burning up the drums. The twangy, wah wah guitar sounds have me reminiscing thick smoke, funky fold-up chairs and worn wood floors. This is serious soul music for a southern country blues lover. cedric does some really spiffy drumming on Snake Drive. His changes and innovations make me hope I'll hear a lot of him in the future. The slide work is from another planet, ethereal and edgy all at once.

Rollin' & Tumblin' (first recorded in 1929 by Hambone Willie Newbern) is a great delta classic. Interpreted here by Burnside, Burnside and Brown in a happy, thumpin' and jumpin' boogie. You Gotta Move has a sad, hollow tone with R.L.'s slide sounding like a prayer.

There's not a cut on here that isn't interesting, innovative, gutsy and worth listening to. He's got at least a 1/2 dozen discs out there - grab yourself one.

MER