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Benny Turner - “Who Sang It First” (NOLA Blue)

Now here’s a release that really should be better known. Freddy
King’s little brother, bass player and singer Benny Turner, has
been carving out a fine solo career himself thanks to NOLA Blue.
Here he reminds us of just who the originators of the blues are.
His rich, convincing voice is set to a 70s/ 80s mellow soul-blues
arrangement, and this is a real grower with an important message.

He doesn’t judge the revivalists, he’s just putting the record
straight. It is based on the song “Black Is Beautiful” by Jim George,
but far more mellow, and it was recorded at FAME Studios, with
Clayton Ivey on keyboards and Will McFarlane on guitar. It is available as a single from
www.nolablue.com and if you want to check it out beforehand, you can find the rather nice official

video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09pSgEq7HZ4.
Norman Darwen

Chickenbone Slim – Sleeper (Lo-Fi Mob)

If you’re looking for an album that clearly demonstrates the

rawer side of modern blues, you’ve come to the right place. The
set opens in great style with the vintage Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson

styled ‘Vampire Baby’, all ringing guitar and strong vocals, a true
California out of Texas blues. The infectious ‘Tougher Than That’

is rock and roll flavoured, ‘The Ballad Of Dick’ is Johnny Cash

tinged country/ rockabilly, and the instrumental ‘Strolling With
Chickenbone’ is cool and with more than a touch of the swing-blues to it – excellent harmonica

break from Troy Sandow too – and after that, Slim’s guitar playing takes on a tougher tone too. ‘My

Bad Luck’ has a touch of the early 60s R’n’B sound to it (and Slim’s vocals remind me here of
vintage Peter Green!), ‘Ride’ is a rocking boogie with a hint of rockabilly, ‘Helpless’ is a solo

acoustic piece, ‘Little Victory’ is a tightly controlled pounding blues, and ‘Dignity’ has a Chicago
blues sound. This rather fine album closes out with the slightly menacing sound of ‘These Things

Happen’, with Troy’s blues harmonica work again pretty prominent.

Chickenbone Slim’s real name is Larry Tevez, he is based in San Diego, California, this set is all

original and it was recorded by Kid Andersen – itself a recommendation. Juke joint blues and roots,
and certainly worth checking out.

Norman Darwen
(www.chickenboneslim.com)