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From the Vault...
03/30/2008
#1092 |
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info
Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows
"Playing For Keeps"
© Alligator Records
Rating:
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track listing
300 Pounds Of Heavenly Joy
Flip Flop
I Want Your Love
Polk Salad Annie
Pouring Water On A
Drowning Man
I Got A Problem
I Brought The Blues
On Myself
We're Gonna Make It
Just One Woman
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Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows related sites:
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Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows
"Playing For Keeps"
Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows was a blues band from Chicago. I was fortunate
to see this band perform (I believe it was Chicagofest). Shortly after I had
seen them, Larry "Big Twist" Nolan had passed away. His voice was truly unique,
with his gravel sound, and great sounding band, comparing to the likes of the
Blues Brothers Band. Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows only recorded 3 albums --
Big Twist passed away in 1990.
Big Twist was a big presence, as the first track states, he was "300 Pounds Of
Heavenly Joy". His gravel voice was his trademark, with a great blues sounding band.
This song is pure grit, good blues. "Flip Flop" has a nice, evenly-paced blues
sound, easily enjoying this song more with repeated listening.
"I Want Your Love" is more mellow-paced, having a somewhat gospel
sound. The classic "Polk Salad Annie" is included on this release, as
this version is pretty good. "Pouring Water On A Drowning Man" is a good
blues song, having a Motown and Curtis Mayfield/Impressions feel.
I vaugely remember "I Got A Problem" getting regular airplay,
especially on Chicago's WXRT. It's possible I probably heard them play this
song when I saw them in concert. Big Twist's gravel grit voice returns on this
one. "I Brought The Blues On Myself" is a very good slow-driving blues
song. Typical blues has "We're Gonna Make It," and a slow-paced gospel
feel ends out the last track, "ust One Woman."
Playing For Keeps is a good title for this album. It's just sad
that Big Twist passed away, and not looking forward to more releases from this
blues band. Chicago has brought us some incredible talent in the blues genre,
and Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows was just one of them.
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