Search - Jimmy Witherspoon :: Evenin' Blues

A CLASSIC

David Booker | Denver Co | 10/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I was a kid working for very low pay in Manchester in 1963, I would literally run out of the office every lunchtime , and head down to Barry's Record Rendezvous .. Barry knew I was a blues nut ,and a sucker for this music! .. and I bought everything he recommended. At that time , I had never heard of Jimmy , but as usual Barry said it was a terrific record , he played a track or two , and my lunch hour was coming to a close fast , I bought it and ran back to work!. I was not disappointed ! This LP introduced me to the 'jazz' side of the blues. Fast forward 20 years to 1983 , I am living in Denver Co , and not only do I interview Jimmy on the radio , but sit in with him on the same night!.. Several years later Sax man(on this record the ex Bill Dogget /Ray Charles legend ) Clifford(Honky Tonk) Scott- a gentlemans gentleman by the way .. is opening for me in an Austin TX Venue !!.. but that's another story ..Back to this recording; Great tunes, great playing, and as far as I know the ONLY time T.BoneWalker recorded with Spoon'( Spoon' told me)This is a Blues/Jazz classic there are absolutely NO bad cuts on 'Evenin Blues' . The doubled up tempo of 'Kansas City is refreshingly different , and Don't Let Go ' is the same tune that some folks might have in their Jerry Garcia collection . The classic remake of his 'Money's Gettin Cheaper' is the standout track of many gems contained on this disc , It was released as a 45rpm single from the LP way back then, and the tune 'Evenin' was the 'B' side. I wonder whatever happened to the organ player Bert Kendrix? (There is a wonderful VCR in The Ralph Gleason /Rhino series that is worth searching out .. with Jimmy and Ben Webster which is fantastic! )Yes!! 5 stars for Evenin Blues!!"

SLIGHTLY OFF THE MARK!

deepbluereview | SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA | 06/28/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This disc was recorded in a Los Angeles in 1963 and released that same year. The CD is a mixed bag with some very good stuff and some not so good stuff. For example, the disc opens with two really good slow blues numbers-- Witherspoon's, "Money's Getting' Cheaper" and Larraine Walton's "Grab Me A Freight"--both featuring some excellent sax performed by Clifford Scott and first rate vocals by Witherspoon. Things then start to slip a little with Witherspoon doing a very poor Elvis impersonation on "Don't Let Go". Witherspoon however, recovers nicely on the next three tracks, "I've Been Treated Wrong", "Evenin'" and "Cane River", which feature some flute, sax and standout guitar playing by T-Bone Walker. Finally, and despite a gallant effort by T-Bone Walker, "How Long Blues" just cannot be salvaged. Likewise, "Good Rockin' Tonight" and "Drinking Beer" seem to be wasted tracks. As far as the bonus tracks are concerned, they are alternative takes of the songs included above, and in the case of "Don't Let Go!", things don't get much better the second time around. Overall, 5 really good songs, 5 not so good songs and 4 alternative takes."

A Must-Have!

Melissa | Puerto Rico | 09/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My favorite. T-Bone Walker on guitar!"