click
to enlarge
|
Jimmy
Witherspoon, Eugene Pao - Spoon Meets Pao
Release Date: 1990
Jimmy
Witherspoon/Vocals, Eugene Pao/Guitar, Ric Halstead/Saxes,
Dave Packer/Piano, Mariano Lim/Bass, Johnny Abraham/Drums
1. Send Me Mr. Pao 
| 
2. Sad Life
3. Big Boss Man
4. Trouble In Mind
|
5. Got Me Runnin'
6. Ain't Nobody's Business
|
7. Sweet Lotus Blossom
8. Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You
Review
This
is a historical disc where blues vocalist Jimmy Witherspoon
meets Hong Kong guitar guru Eugene Pao in a 1990 setting
where they just sit together and play the blues like
the good ole' days. Witherspoon is not at his peak but
his voice still sounds bluesy and has lots of throat
(phlegm if you will). Eugene proves himself to be not
only a jazz guitarist, but an apt blues guitar player.
The opening song "Send Me Mr. Pao" already
demonstrates Eugene's acoustic talent. In the rest of
the album, Eugene stuns his audience with fiery electric
playing that reminds me of Eric Clapton's early blues
days. Witherspoon even says Eugene is "the best
blues guitarist I've heard in years." What makes
this album shine has to do with the supporting members
of the band: a very impressive Ric Halstead on sax,
Dave Packer on piano, Johnny Abraham on drums. If you
want to hear more Pao on blues, try William Tang's Movin'
On Track 10.
|
