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Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials: The Big Sound of Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials
ByThat kind of longevity in a band can lead in two directions: heightened understanding and interplay, or stagnation.
On their new Alligator release, The Big Sound of Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, it is the former that is in evidence: The music is clearly that of four men still having the time of their lives, still in love with the music -and, because of their longstanding familiarity with one another, better able to anticipate the others' tendencies, to play off one another than ever before. The rhythm section of Young and Littleton provides a seemingly effortless foundationwhether it's a driving rock-ribbed electric blues like "Black Diamond Love" and "Giving Up On Your Love," or a slower ballad, "I'll Cry Tomorrow," say, or "Troubled World." Littleton is of the less is more school -nothing flashy, just a solid beat that sets the table for Williams' vocals and his and Garrett's guitar leads. Young, similarly, puts his focus on the ensemble straightforward foundational work that allows the band to immediately find and hold its footing on every song.
For their part, the interaction between guitarists Williams and Garrett is akin to listening to a two-headed four- armed monster, so complementary is their playing. While Garrett is nominally the rhythm guitarist, on "I'm Done" and "Troubled World" (both Williams compositions, by the way), Garrett steps into the lead and shows a tasteful, dextrous voice on guitar every bit the equal of Williams, albeit more jazz oriented.
The 14 songs here are all strongthis is only the band's ninth studio album over three decades, and they take their time in crafting and collecting strong material before heading into the studio. In addition to 12 new originals, the band also covers two songs by Williams' uncle, the great J.B. Hutto.
Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials remain at the top of their artinspired playing, strong material, and the kind of ensemble improvisation that can only come with decades spent together playing and performing night after night.
Track Listing
Giving Up On Your Love; Raining in Paris; Poor Man's Song; Shy Voice; Black Diamond Love; Whiskey Flavored Tears; I'll Cry Tomorrow; Is It You?; I'm Done; Deep In My Soul; I Want it All; I Like My Hot Sauce Cold; Troubled World; Green Light Groove.
Personnel
Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials
band / ensemble / orchestraLil' Ed Williams: vocals, lead guitar; Michael Garrett: rhythm guitar, lead guitar; James "Pookie" Young: bass; Kelly Littleton: drums.
Album information
Title: The Big Sound of Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Alligator Records
Comments
About Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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