July 14, 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karen Leipziger - KL Productions
(615) 297-4452
On the heels of his critically acclaimed CD "Cool Blues Walk" (Bullseye Blues & Jazz/Oct. '98) comes Chicago blues legend EDDY "THE CHIEF" CLEARWATER's, "RESERVATION BLUES" his third release for the Bullseye Blues & Jazz label. The CD, scheduled for a SEPTEMBER 12, 2000 release was recorded at Lakewest Recording Studio in West Greenwich, RI from February 6-13, 2000 with producer/guitarist DUKE ROBILLARD again at the helm. Backing Clearwater on the album are Robillard and his band including John Packer (bass), Jeff McAllister (drums) and Doug James (baritone sax) with Dennis Taylor (tenor sax), Matt McCabe (piano) and special guest Carey Bell (harmonica on "Find Yourself").
"Eddy Clearwater is one of the most powerful practitioners of the blues."
(Duke Robillard) from the liner notes by Michael McCall
Blues fans know that Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater can transform a concert into a raucous musical party. But what they may not realize, but what the new "Reservation Blues" makes abundantly clear, is how powerful he is at putting across hardcore blues and how potent he is at putting across serious songs addressing everything from inner torment to important social issues.
Of course, the The Chief's constants remain committment, consistency, energy and enthusiasm--as well as his ability to encourage a crowd to have a good time. Indeed, since initiating his comeback beginning in 1979, The Chief's electrifying sense of showmanship and the genuine exuberance he displays onstage has made him a top attraction throughout America and Europe.
But The Chief is, and always has been, more than just an exciting entertainer. He's also a deeply talented "artist" --a trait that sometimes gets overlooked because of the attention showered onto his engaging performance style. Sure, The Chief knows how to deliver his gifts; but what he does onstage is presentation--just the gift-wrapping, you could say. Without the gifts--the songs, the musicianship, the well-rounded ability to draw upon a wide range of musical styles--the presentation wouldn't be nearly as effective.
The Chief presents the whole package: He's a first-rate songwriter who performs a large amount of original material and whose tunes are covered often by other performers; he's a stellar, one-of-a-kind guitarist, a left-handed player who merges distinctiveness and flash into a personal style that can't be imitated; and he's well-rounded musician whose work pulls in influences from blues, rock, and country. The Chief can play rock 'n' roll raveups, New Orleans honkers, Texas shuffles and jumping, wailing swinging tunes as well as hard, deep-grooved Chicago blues. The whole of Clearwater's talent blows forcefully throughout "Reservation Blues", the second album The Chief has made with producer Duke Robillard. Emphasizing grit as well as a good time, "Reservation Blues" shows off Clearwater's potency as a fierce, hardcore bluesman as well his ability as a party-hardy crowd pleaser.
"There's a serious side to this album," The Chief says in his characteristically direct manner. "I've always liked doing those kinds of songs, but on this album it seemed like more of them fit than usual. I like sitting down and putting together songs that sound like they belong on the same album. It's a challenge, and one that I like."
[On "Reservation Blues"] Eddy Clearwater is rocking harder, fiercer and more enthusiastically than ever. Although he turned 65 years old this year, Clearwater owns the energy and passion of a man much younger.
Seeing and hearing how much vitality he brings to his music, it's hard to imagine that he's now celebrating his 50th year as a bluesman. Born Eddie Harrington on Jan. 10, 1935, The Chief first started performing regularly at age 13, when he backed such gospel bands as The Five Blind Boys of Alabama. But, at the behest of his uncle, he took his musical talent to Chicago at age 15 in September of 1950. Before long, he fell under the spell of Muddy Waters and began performing blues in West Side clubs.
A half-century later, The Chief is still making history.
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