BIG JON ATKINSON AND BOB CORRITORE
HOUSE PARTY AT BIG JON’S
DELTA GROOVE MUSIC DGPCD 172
GOIN’ BACK TO TENNESSEE–HERE COMES MY BABY–IT WASN’T EASY–SHE’S MY CRAZY LITTLE BABY–AT THE MEETING–MOJO HAND–MOJO IN MY BREAD–MAD ABOUT IT–EMPTY BEDROOM–I’M GONNA MISS YOU LIKE THE DEVIL–YOU WANT ME TO TRUST YOU–MISSISSIPPI PLOW–EL CENTRO–I’M A KING BEE–SOMEBODY DONE CHANGED THE LOCK ON MY DOOR–MY FEELINGS WON’T BE HURT
Big Jon Atkinson is another of those young powerhouse West Coast blues guitarists who know what this music is all about, as he spent some time mentoring with Kim Wilson. It’s no surprise that the name of Jon’s home-based studio in San Diego is Big Tone, because he sho’ nuff coaxes a huge tone outta that guitar. His latest set for Delta Groove teams him with harp icon Bob Corritore as well as several of the best blues singers from Chicago to Cali, making “House Party At Big Jon’s” play out like one of those old-school Blues Caravans where everybody adds to the fun. To add to the vibe of this cool mix of covers and originals, Jon laid down all the tracks on vintage equipment. Also, we have Danny Michel on second guitar, Troy Sandow on bass, and a trio of drummers–Malachi Johnson, Brian Fahey, and Marty Dodson.
The set kicks off with Jon telling a lover “we didn’t do the things we should, and I’m Goin’ Back To Tennessee.” Bob blows the reeds outta his big ol’ chromatic on his original, “Here Comes My Baby, with the butterscotch skin!” Alabama Mike rocks the house lookin’ for that “Mojo Hand,” and comes back a bit later for a scorchin’ slow-blueser, “Somebody Done Changed The Lock On My Door.” Big Jon and Willie Buck rock out on a couple of Slim Harpo’s Excello hits—Big Jon on lead vocal on the “sorry that you’re gone” song, “I’m Gonna Miss You Like The Devil,” while Willie Buck busts out that stinger on “I’m A King Bee, I can buzz all night long!” Tomcat Courtney’s original is the story of a woman so mean, :she put Mojo In My Cornbread and turnip greens!” Jon’s sparse guitar leads put a decidedly-Delta stamp on this one.
We had two favorites, too. We’ve always liked Lightnin’ Slim’s “She’s My Crazy Little Baby,” and Big Jon and Bob let everybody know “the whole state knows she’s fine!” And, Dave Riley absolutely takes us all to Blues Church with a powerful, heartfelt read of “seeing my momma in Heaven one day,” “At The Meeting.”
Ever lay in bed at night as a youngster with your transistor radio tuned in to WLAC? As you listen to “House Party At Big Jon’s,” you’ll swear the Hossman is about to tell you what a huge talent Big Jon Atkinson really is, and, without saying a word, Bob Corritore’s harp is his perfect foil!! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.
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