Plays More Blues, Ballads & Favorites
Jimmie Vaughan
2011
Jimmie Vaughan
2011
Review contributed by Sean McCarthy
Before I begin, I must confess that I set myself the challenge in writing this review about Jimmie Vaughan’s latest album to not mention that fact (like every other review) that Jimmie is Stevie’s brother... so here goes:
Shame on you if you missed it last year, but Jimmie Vaughan made a comeback of sorts in 2010 with his first solo album in almost nine years.
His record ‘Jimmie Vaughan Plays Blues, Ballads & Favorites’ (yes, without the U... he’s American don’t you know) was collection of jump, soul, and Chicago-styled blues tunes.
Backed by a great band of road-seasoned blues professionals, and Lou Ann Barton, it earned a well-deserved Grammy Award nomination.
So the imaginatively titled ‘Jimmie Vaughan Plays More Blues, Ballads & Favorites’ is very like its predecessor, it focuses on relatively obscure decades-old tracks such as Amos Milburn's "Bad Bad Whiskey" mixed with unusual takes of Hank Williams, Ray Charles and of course Jimmy Reed numbers as Jimmie, Lou Ann and the band switch between up-tempo rockers and down-hearted blues.
Recorded in Vaughan's hometown of Austin, Texas with that live in the studio, no over dub feel to it, it certainly does justice to songs that were likely originally recorded under similar circumstances five or six decades ago.
The band swings, with my kind of rhythm section: the drums sit just behind the beat, the upright bass player never flashy just right there in the pocket, saxes growl away, and using the integral ensemble player rather than a show-off soloist technique that Jimmie likes to employ his solos and fills pack a lot of excitement into small spaces.
Lou Ann Barton takes the mic for three tracks and if there is a week aspect to the record it is Jimmie’s own vocals.
Jimmie Vaughan’s late, younger brother cut a great swath with his expansive style and attack, but Jimmie’s ability to choose his spots, let the groove ride, play well with his friends is a greatness all of his own.
So, if you did miss Jimmie’s 2010 record... do yourself a favour and hunt down 2011’s.
There I did it... almost.
Sean is a current Auckland Blues Club president and is the bass player for The Flaming Mudcats.
