Search - Hubert Sumlin :: Hubert Sumlin's Blues Party

Sumlin's First Stateside Solo

r.j. zurek | Cape Coral, FL United States | 04/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"During the golden era of the 1950s, the two kings of the Chicago blues scene were Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Guitarist Hubert Sumlin played for both band leaders. He started out with Wolf, then joined Muddy for a year. Sumlin returned to the Wolf's band and contributed some of the most influential guitar in modern music, especially on songs like "Killing Floor" and "Ain't Superstitious". The partnership ended with Wolf's death in 1976.



After Wolf passed, Sumlin kept the band going under the leadership of the great saxophonist Eddie Shaw. The guitarist played with Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang until 1980, when he left to begin a solo career.



"Blues Party" was Sumlin's first domestic release as a band leader. Originally released in 1987, this remastered disc is a diverse, upbeat example of a band leader happy to share the spotlight. Among the many guests joining Sumlin for the party are Might Sam McClain, the Roomful of Blues horns, David Maxwell, Jerry Portnoy and bassist "Mudcat" Ward.



Guitarist Ronnie Earl offers up a fine duet with Sumlin on their co-written original "West Side Soul", and tenor sax man Greg Piccolo is the featured vocalist on "Letter to My Girlfriend". McClain sings lead on four cuts, most notably "A Soul That's Been Abused", while organist Ron Levy sings his original "Poor Me, Pour Me". The variety of vocalists and diverse playing styles produces a disc full of surprises where every song has a "fresh" feel, especially the McClain selections.



If you missed "Blues Party" the first time around, try this highly recommended reissue."

Cool hubert

W. Landis | des moines, iowa | 04/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"watch eric clapton's guitar festival - from 2003. hubert plays killing floor and sweet home chicago with eric clapton, jimmy ray vaughn, buddy guy, and robert cray. when he came on stage, the respect shown from these guitar legends to hubert was unbelieveable. obviously a great influence to them. what is really cool is that hubert had gotten his guitar autographed by the other artists. if he receives that kind of homage from those cats, then he is good. along with guitar great ronnie earl and a cast of black top recording artists, hubert shows that old school electric blues style."

A party with his friends

Idle Vinyl | Sydney, Australia | 03/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hubert Sumlin demonstrates here exactly why he has been hailed as one of the greats for so many years. The album give him many virtuoso opportunities, while also highlighting a range of singers and support musicians.Overall, the album contains a variety of up-tempo tunes, along with very soft, slow and sad songs. A great mix of people, songs, and talent."