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Brooks Blues Band' but Eddie didn’t want to be restricted to blues and with this
album you can definitely see why. Although I personally do miss his earlier raw
blues, tracks like ‘Cry Like a River’ and especially ‘Love You All the Way Down’ are

very accomplished but not necessarily for blues fans.

Graham Harrison

Giles Robson & John Primer—Ten Chicago Blues

Classics—Blues House Productions

Hard on the heels of his summer 2024 album “Seven
Blues Classics” with Italian guitarist Manny Fizzotti

comes this new album of ten blues classics with Chi-
cago’s John Primer (who has previously recorded
with harp player Bob Corritore). That previous al-

bum was recorded live at the Temperance Club,
Leamington Spa whereas this one is recorded in the
Pomme d’Or Hotel in Giles’ hometown of Jersey and

features Chicago blues classics by Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Sonny Boy William-
son etc. recorded as a duo with Giles on vocals and harp and John on guitar.

We kick off with Muddy’s ‘Blow Wind Blow’, then Walter’s ‘My Babe’, then back to
Muddy for ‘Rollin’ Stone’ before Walter’s iconic instrumental ‘Juke’. Obviously these
are real classic Chicago blues but the duo present them as almost country blues –

John is playing electric guitar but not overdriven it’s a clean and clear tone and
similarly Giles’ harp hasn’t got that dirty, distorted ‘Chicago’ sound, it’s more like

Little Walter on Muddy’s early 50’s sides before he developed his later distinctive
sound. ‘Let Me Explain’ is a driving blues from Sonny Boy (No.2) and I particularly
liked Giles’ vocals on Muddy’s ‘Long Distance Call’ and then it’s back to Sonny Boy
(but no.1 this time) for a lively version of his ‘Dealin’ with the Devil’ – great playing

from both here. ‘Got My Mojo Working’ became Muddy’s signature song and the
pair do it here as an instrumental, ‘Bad Boy’ is the Eddie Taylor song and we finish

with another Walter song ‘Last Night’ done as an instrumental. The pair could have
done these songs with a band – as the originals – but in this format they bring
something new to the party and both their playing is exceptional – it reminded me
of Kim Wilson and Big Jack Johnson’s “Memphis Barbecue Sessions” CD and believe

me there is no higher praise.

Graham Harrison