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CD Review
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The Daily Texan Online, CD Review >>
Bluesman returns to basics in album
--by Roger "Smokehouse Brown" Gatchet
Before the advent of electric amplification technology, hand-fashioned, acoustic instruments were the tools of choice for blues artists practicing their craft in the early 20th century. This was especially true for the innovative musical styles that preceded what we know of today as blues. Consider the players of the deep American South, who pounded out their rhythmic, trance-like beats on snare and bass drums and punctuated them with blasts from a hand-carved cane fife (a type of flute).
Listening to collections of prewar blues and roots music, one often thinks of itinerant artists like the great guitarists Charlie Patton and Son House or zither player Washington Phillips, who divided his time between playing a unique blend of gospel-blues, preaching and selling cane syrup door-to-door. These musicians demonstrated the power of acoustic blues and its ability to tell a story, to signify the joy and pain of life. Just take one listen to any solo recording by Mississippi bluesman John Lee Hooker, who could caress a sound out of an acoustic 12-string or steel guitar that will, to borrow a phrase from Sonny Boy Williamson, "make your backbone slip."
Continuing the tradition of this great acoustic art is Ben Bowen King, a fifth-generation Texan dedicated to preserving the vintage sounds of street corner musicians from the 1920s and '30s. His style is unique - a tasty stew that mixes jazz, blues, gospel and Appalachian ballads into a uniquely Americana art form. King got his start playing in blues clubs down in Austin's Red River District.
He brings back the sound of a bygone era on his new record Sidewalk Saints, which has enjoyed a top spot for the past nine weeks on the National Roots Gospel radio charts. This is raw, acoustic roots music, and when King picks up that steel resonator guitar, it never felt so good. The tracks are allinstrumental (with occasional moaning), and add spoons, rub boards and suitcase thumpin' to complement King's guitar work.
The album opens with a stunning slide guitar instrumental rendition of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and later moves into an instrumental sermon where the guitar does the preaching on track four, "Preacher's Hellbound Train." "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" is a thoughtful gospel medley that evokes the mood and sidewalk atmosphere King was working to convey on this record. The album closes with a jaw-dropping, unorthodox performance of the gospel staple "Amazing Grace." This beautiful tune, complete with tambourine and hand-clapping, showcases King's originality and deep love for American roots music.
Ben Bowen King will perform music from his new record Sidewalk Saints (available for purchase at www.talkingtaco.com) Sunday from 10-11 p.m. o n the KVRX Radio program "Local Live." You can listen by tuning in at 91.7 FM or online at www.kvrx.org. 02/02/07 >> go there
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