Search - Mud Boy & Neutrons :: They Walk Among Us

White boys sing the psychedelic blues

09/07/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Once upon a time in the South, there lived four white boys who loved the Blues: Jim Dickinson, Lee Baker, Sid Selvidge, and Jimmy Croswaithe. They helped put together the Memphis Blues Festivals in the 60's and the Beale Street Music Festivals in the early 70's. They were devoted to Furry Lewis, Bukka White, Fred McDowell - all of the old country blues musicians. When the young black musicians turned their back on the blues, Mudboy helped to keep the music alive. This record is not the highest fidelity, but the feeling is there. Little Queenie is a lasting tribute to the great Lee Baker. World Boogie is coming!"

They Stomp Among Us

R. J MOSS | Alice Springs, Australia | 12/16/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Mudboy and his Neutrons acknowledge their ancestral roots, though it's less a 'walk' than a romp that must be stirring in their chests. All four share the vocals, but it's Selvidge's glorious tenor and Dickinson's ranting rasp that ignite the set. For instance, Bo Didley's eponymous rocker, the breast milk of 1000s of 60s British Blues babes, asserts its chunky rhythms with inspiring immediacy. Lead vocals are shared, but it's Dickinson's menacing ripostes that transmit the shivers. Similarily, he gives Dylan's,'Memphis Blues' a shakedown that leaves nothing to spare. None of Bob's elongated drawl and regretful moan in this truncated interpretation. The attraction/repulsion equation at the song's centre is rivettingly honed. Selvidge elevates Fred Neil's gorgeous,'I've Got a secret' to hymnal status, and does likewise with, 'Dark End of the Street'(making Ry Cooder's take somewhat dirgelike by comparison). This is a generous, untamed set of homages, recalling Bob Seeger's early and underrated endorsement of fellow travellers,'Smokin' OPs'. No doubt his rousing take on,'Bo Didley' attracts the comparison. It's unfair to compare Mudboys with Dickinson's,'Free Beer' which is an altogether more focused and emotive joy, crafted to run an individual rather than collective gamut. But if you like your rhythm sticks, or the spirit of Dickinson or Selvidge, this is a more than worthy and affectionate journey through the Southern songbook."