At 82, guitarist, vocalist and composer Little Freddie King likes to play the blues. It’s been his style for a long time that goes back to his Mississippi roots, but even though he’s lived in New Orleans for years, he still maintains a rustic, front-porch-chugging ease.
That laid-back vibe is immediately demonstrated by the first two numbers of King’s new release. blues medicineThe opener, “Crazy Woman,” featuring a full band by pianist Ricky Stelma and harmonica player Robert Luis DiTario Jr., and a more austere version, where King’s guitar and vocals work well with the famous Vasti Jackson. Including “Fatherless”, which has been transformed into slide guitar. Both are King originals, arranged by drummer and producer “Wako” Wade Wright, and are all but two selections on the album.
On “Coke No Ice”, things get more “critical” with Dominic Grillo stepping in on tenor sax and Stelma playing trills on piano. King also adds a late-night sophistication to his guitar sound.
King nods to his adopted home in New Orleans at “Canal Street Corner Bar.” Lyrically, he makes no mention of Mardi Gras or Bourbon Street, eschews typical clichés, and invites the listener to peek at the watering hole. “One more night in paradise,” he sings.
“Two Wheel Cadillac”, one of two instrumentals, closes out the album in a vibrant way. An album that boasts the healing power of this genre, simple yet profound, which can be called blues medicine.
