THE 44’S
TWIST THE KNIFE
RIP CAT RECORDS RIC 1902
CUTTIN DEEP–SUGAR YOU–HOWLIN–CHAMPAGNE AND REEFER–TOO MANY DRIVERS–ROSIE–HELSINKI BLUES–44’S SHUFFLE
It has been seven (long) years since we last heard anything from California-based bluesers The 44’s. Johnny Main’s guitar and vocals are still the driving force behind the band, and the all- new lineup consists of Eric Von Herzen on harp, Mike Hightower on bass, Gary Ferguson on drums, and special guest Junior Watson on guitar. For “Twist The Knife,” the title of their latest set, Johnny enjoyed the freedom to stretch out a bit on the tunes, and that “loose” groove runs throughout the set.
“Cuttin Deep,” a band original, is a sizzling instrumental slab of blues-funk that sets the tone for the rest of the album. They get into a low-down groove on Muddy’s “Champagne And Reefer,” with Eric blowin’ long and strong over Johnny’s vocals. It’s Chicago blues all the way for that little girl that has “a fine little car, baby, but you got Too Many Drivers at the wheel!” A fine cover of Doyle Bramhall II’s “Rosie” shows the band’s versatility with a shot of “blues psychedelia,” and the set closes with the butt-rockin’ “44’s Shuffle,” straight outta T-Bone’s or The Iceman’s playbook!
We had two favorites. One of James Harman’s most famous cuts serves as the catalyst for the cool slow-and-greasy groove of love in a laundromat, “Helsinki Blues!” And, “Howlin” had the most unique vocal. Johnny sings this Chess classic in a voice that sounds like the harmonic convergence of Howlin Wolf and Dr. John!
“Twist The Knife” is a jumpin’ little record you want your jockey to play. Johnny and The 44’s intend for it to be a tribute to their heroes, the legends from whom they gained inspiration, and it is a shot of hot West Coast blues at its best! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.