BILL WHARTON
THE SAUCE BOSS
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF BLIND BOY WILLY (BOOK)
BLIND BOY WILLY (CD)
BDO-10 CD
BLIND BOY WILLY–I WILL PLAY FOR GUMBO–LONELY GIRL–LITTLE DRIVER–DOCK OF THE BAY–WHAT SHE GONNA DO–PLEASURES OF THE DEEP
One of the absolute best packages we received this holiday season came from Bill Wharton. Yep–the ol’ Sauce Boss himself sent us a copy of his latest CD and book combo. The CD is entitled “Blind Boy Willy,” and the book is Bill’s memoir, “The Life And Times Of Blind Boy Willy,” which is full of colorful tales from Bill’s life, spiced up with songs, photos, and those incredible recipes he has cooked for more than 200,000 fans for free, over a career that is going strong after thirty-odd years. He’s done it all over the globe, marketing his own Liquid Summer Hot Sauce, all the while playing killer slide guitar and composing and singing some of the coolest songs this side of Appalachicola.
We’ll start with the book. Herein, Bill details his youth, and how his mom thrived on cooking for a large, extended family. That credo and many of the recipes included has served Bill well in all his endeavors. You’ll learn of the residents of Peckerwood, their “cultivational skills” with certain herbs, and various run-ins with local law enforcement! It’s all presented in the spirit of good fun, akin to Bill’s way of life—sharing good food and good music!
The songs were laid down at the Library Studios here in Music City, and features Bill on vocals, guitar, kick drum and hi-hat. The set leads off with the lively title cut, where ol’ “Blind Boy Willy plays that fiddle all night long,” and that fiddle is courtesy of David Davidson. Bill shows off a more somber side on two cuts, one pondering the musical question, “what makes a Lonely Girl lonely,” while the program closes with Bill expounding on the many “Pleasures Of The Deep,” backed by a fine string section.
We had two favorites, too. Jimmy Buffett wrote a song about Bill, “I Will Play For Gumbo,” included in his “Beach House On The Moon” CD. Bill renders his version here, talkin’ ’bout that monkey on my back,” with Joe Murphy on Sousaphone. Joe brings that Sousaphone down to the “Dock Of The Bay,” using it to re-create Duck Dunn’s classic bass line, as Bill takes us down to that place where time seems to stand still….
Sauce Boss Bill Wharton has logged over a million miles in his travels all around the globe to spread the gospel of the gumbo! Please join us in enjoying “The Life And Times Of Blind Boy Willy” and its companion CD! Pass the Liquid Summer, ok? Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues And Roots Alliance.
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