Search - Sam Blues Band Lay :: Rush Hour Blues

Sam Lay deserves to have a red carpet unrolled before him when he walks away from his drum kit; he's one of the outstanding drummers of the modern blues era. Rush Hour Blues, recorded in Nashville in 1996 under the direction of ace guitarist Fred James, is Lay's latest effort. He sings here in a forthright manner over the rhythmic background provided by his masterful drums, Celia Ann Price's organ and piano, James's second guitar, and a string bass plucked by James's sidekick Bob Kommersmith. While his singing isn't as strong and steady as in the past, it retains all of its emotional authenticity. The album's songs mostly concern women, nothing new there. Remakes of venerable Chicago blues numbers are more interesting than the new compositions. On Muddy Waters's "Blow Wind Blow," Lay and company expertly balance relaxation and exhilaration. They also inject new life into two more covers, Howlin' Wolf's "Baby How Long" and Big Boy Crudup's "Second Man." In sum, Rush Hour Blues is worth hearing. --Frank-John Hadley