Blue Blazes (album)
| Blue Blazes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1994 | |||
| Genre | Blues | |||
| Label | Alligator | |||
| Producer | Sugar Blue, Fred Breitberg | |||
| Sugar Blue chronology | ||||
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Blue Blazes is an album by the American musician Sugar Blue, released in 1994.[1][2] Alligator Records secured the rights to the album from the Japanese King label.[3] Blue supported the album with a North American tour.[4]
Production[edit]
The album was coproduced by Fred Breitberg.[5] Blue was left alone in the studio to record the album he wanted.[3] He typically played his harmonica solos without any vibrato.[6] Lurrie Bell accompanied Blue on acoustic guitar on the cover of Jimmy Rogers' "That's All Right".[7] The Chicago Horns appeared on a couple of tracks.[7] "Miss You" is a cover of the Rolling Stones song; Blue played on the original track.[8] "Back Door Man" was written by Willie Dixon.[8] "Help Me" is a version of the Sonny Boy Williamson II song.[9] "I Ain't Got You" is a cover of the Billy Boy Arnold single.[10] "Country Blues" and "Out Till Dawn" were cowritten by Blue; they were influenced by his appreciation of country music.[11][12]
Critical reception[edit]
The Edmonton Journal wrote that Blue "does blow a powerful, wailing harp sound tune after hopping tune."[7] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said that "Blue's smoky, passionate vocals can be just as torchy or tough, a fine complement to his harp."[8] The Washington Post noted that, "when the music is moody, it often a conjures a familiar shade of blues... And when the music is hot, it's ablaze alright, fueled by the sort of incendiary, upper-register runs that ignite the solo on 'Out Till Dawn'."[9] The Boston Globe stated that "few blues artists in recent years have come up with a sound this personable and recognizable, or pushed the frontiers of their instrument this far."[16]
The Press of Atlantic City deemed the album "both old and new, uptown and down-home" with "a solid rock flavoring."[15] The Journal & Courier called it "typical Alligator Records fare—substantial, if not a little slick."[17] The Austin American-Statesman opined that "guitarist Motaoki Makino is especially sharp."[18] The Detroit Free Press wrote that Blue's "sexy blues vocals are driven by some of the sweetest high-end harmonica around."[19]
AllMusic determined that "harmonica player and vocalist Sugar Blue isn't a singer who doubles on harp; he's an extraordinary instrumentalist who's also a quality vocalist."[13]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Ain't Got You" | |
| 2. | "Help Me" | |
| 3. | "Miss You" | |
| 4. | "I Just Got to Know" | |
| 5. | "One More Mile to Go" | |
| 6. | "That's All Right" | |
| 7. | "Country Blues" | |
| 8. | "Back Door Man" | |
| 9. | "Just to Be with You" | |
| 10. | "Out Till Dawn" |
References[edit]
- ^ "Sugar Blue Biography by Jason Ankeny". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- ^ Iglauer, Bruce; Roberts, Patrick A. (2018). Bitten by the Blues: The Alligator Records Story. University of Chicago Press. p. 317.
- ^ a b Gettelman, Parry (23 Sep 1994). "A Sound of His Own and an Album Too". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 6.
- ^ Stoute, Lenny (9 June 1994). "In Passing". Toronto Star. p. H11.
- ^ a b MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 347.
- ^ Himes, Geoffrey (30 June 1995). "Sugar Blue's Harmonica 'Blazes'". The Washington Post. p. N15.
- ^ a b c d Levesque, Roger (3 Apr 1994). "Blues discs". Edmonton Journal. p. E3.
- ^ a b c d White, Jim (8 May 1994). "'Blue Blazes,' Sugar Blue". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. H5.
- ^ a b Joyce, Mike (29 July 1994). "Blazing Sugar Blue; Good Steve James". The Washington Post. p. N10.
- ^ Miller, Dennis (21 Apr 1994). "Blues greats take harp to high art". Time Out. Star-Gazette. p. 5.
- ^ a b Spence, Scott (13 May 1994). "Sugar Blue Blue Blazes". Tri-City Herald. p. C5.
- ^ Rothstein, David S. (30 Sep 1994). "Sugar Blue found niche in domestic blues world". The Charlotte Observer. p. 3F.
- ^ a b "Blue Blazes Review by Ron Wynn". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- ^ The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin. 2006. p. 614.
- ^ a b Allen, Greg (8 Apr 1994). "Sinatra live in Paris; Sugar on the harp". At the Shore. The Press of Atlantic City. p. 24.
- ^ Wald, Elijah (2 Jun 1994). "Sugar Blue Blue Blazes". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 12.
- ^ Bangert, Dave (29 Apr 1994). "Sugar Blue always leaving audiences slackjawed". Journal & Courier. p. D2.
- ^ Point, Michael (12 May 1994). "New releases worth a spin". Jazz/Blues. Austin American-Statesman. p. 13.
- ^ Jackson, Dana (30 May 1994). "Blue Blazes". Detroit Free Press. p. 3C.