Author: jeffkonkel (---.lightspeed.stlsmo.sbcglobal.net)
Date: 01-23-10 08:58
Hey, gang. Great new review of Jimmy "Duck" Holmes' latest CD on Broke & Hungry Records. Here's what Mick Rainsford of Blues In Britain had to say about the disc:
Jimmy “Duck” Holmes – Ain’t It Lonesome
Broke & Hungry Records BH13007
One of the greatest pleasures I have as a reviewer is receiving review CDs from Jeff Konkel at Broke & Hungry Records. Not only do those releases feed my passion for downhome blues, but, crucially I am never disappointed with the sheer quality of the blues on offer – this new set from Jimmy “Duck” Holmes being no exception to that rule.
Holmes is a throwback to those classic, and instantly recognisable Bentonia blues forged by Skip James and Jack Owens amongst others – although with each new release, Holmes’ individuality as a performer becomes more and more pronounced, although his roots never alter.
This set finds Holmes solo on seven tracks, the other three, featuring Lee Williams on drums.
Holmes opens with the plodding plea “Slow Down, Slow Down” where he melds his Bentonia influences with those of Muddy Waters over a simple, but entrancingly hypnotic guitar riff. “That’s Alright” takes Jimmy Rogers down into the gutter, or should that read “down the creek” – Holmes’ frustrations are palpable as he declares “Done Got Tired Of Tryin’” , his hauntingly wistful vocals skittering over a hypnotic guitar riff – whilst on “My Baby’s Gone” he sounds inexplicably like a plaintive, raw, downhome skip James.
“Someday Baby” is given a broodingly plaintive reading laced with veiled threats – and when Holmes declares “So Glad (My Baby’s Coming Home)”, the joy you feel for him is tempered by the plaintiveness in his vocals which can’t disguise the fact that he is not so sure – whilst “Nightmare” is lyrically and vocally a tribute to the great Skip James.
The three tracks with Lee Williams have a distinctly more “Jook joint” feel to them. “All Night Long” and “Tell Me Woman” having a distinctive North Mississippi Hill Country feel, both being blues grinders, with mesmerising guitar and drums that recall the “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” feel. That leaves “Bentonia Boogie”, a ramshackle instrumental that is all the better for being so.
What can I say? I love it!
Rating 10
Mick Rainsford
Pick up your copy today at: http://www.brokeandhungryrecords.com
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