Search - Little Willie Anderson :: Swinging the Blues

Little Walter Protege step out on his own

peter krampert | eharmonica.net | 01/13/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Chicago's Little Willie Anderson learned to play harmonica from his father while growing up in rural Arkansas. He moved to Chicago in 1939 and during the 1950's he became enamored with the harmonica playing of Blues harp god, Little Walter Jacobs. Anderson became Walter's valet, chauffeur and sometimes filled in for Walter when Walter was incapable of performing himself. Anderson began working on his own in the 1970's and worked with Jimmy Johnson, Smokey Smothers, Muddy Waters and other Chicago stalwarts. This CD, originally produced by Blues harmonica enthusiast Bob Corritore, represents his attempt to step out from under Little Walter's shadow.Anderson is backed by some of Blue's finest, including Robert Jr. Lockwood, Jimmy Lee Robinson and Fred Below. Anderson is a capable harmonica player and bandleader. My only gripe with this album is that Anderson spent a little too much time under Walter's tutelage and never fully emerges as an original talent. Albeit a very capable performer, he is nevertheless not his master's voice.Overall it's still a very good album and one worth having in your collection."