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Home | Delmark News Blog | “Memorable” says Robert Sacre of Johnny Iguana Chicago Spectacular album.

“Memorable” says Robert Sacre of Johnny Iguana Chicago Spectacular album.

October 6, 2020 Leave a Comment

English and French versions of the review, inside.

Posted by Robert Sacre on 5 Oct 2020

Delmark – Catalogue DE 864

Iguana is a pianist very present in Chicago clubs and festivals. He is very appreciated as partner of the whole Gotha dictionary of the bluesmen of the Windy City and he finally had the opportunity to publish a first album under his name, with 12 faces taken from the best sources (SB Williamson, Otis Spann, Elmore James, Big Bill Broonzy, R. Sykes, Willie Dixon).

He has surrounded himself with renowned partners who are also his long-time friends, such as John Primer, who sings a swaying “44 Blues” (with Bob Margolin on guitar). Primer is also found in a fast paced “Down in the Bottom” on vocals and guitar. We find Billy Boy Arnold on vocals and harmonica in a roaring “You’re an Old Lady” (with Billy Flynn gt and Kenny Smith on drums), and also on vocals in the ironic slow version of “Hot Dog Mama” (with Billy Flynn on guitar).

The festival continues with Matthew Skoller (vocals and harmonica) and Billy Flynn (gt) in a tasty “Stop Breaking Down”. Lil ‘Ed Williams is also featured on vocals and guitar in “Burning Fire” and in a crazy “Shake Your Moneymaker”. And of course, all along, we have Johnny Iguana on the piano, inspired and boosted by prestigious partners, including energetic instrumentals like “Big Easy Women” and “Motorhome”.

 As highlight, there is an unexpected “Lady Day and John Coltrane”, on a text by Gil Scott-Heron dedicated to Billie Holiday and Coltrane, with Phillip-Michael Scales (vocals and guitar).

One small complaint, this album recorded in January 2019 at the Shirk Studio in Chicago does not exceed 39 minutes. With the amount of talent involved we could have hoped for a few more faces… But here it is, short but memorable… take note. Enjoy

Lisez en français:

Iguana est un pianiste très présent dans les clubs de Chicago et dans les festivals. Il est très apprécié comme partenaire du Gotha des bluesmen de la Windy City et il a enfin eu l’occasion de publier un premier album sous son nom, avec 12 faces reprises aux meilleures sources ( S.B.Williamson, Otis Spann, Elmore James, Big Bill Broonzy, R.Sykes ,Willie Dixon,.…). Pour cela, il s’est entouré de partenaires renommés qui sont aussi ses amis de longue date, comme John Primer, qui chante un chaloupé « 44 Blues » (avec Bob Margolin à la guitare). Primer se trouve aussi dans un trépidant « Down In The Bottom » au chant et à la guitare. On retrouve Billy Boy Arnold au chant et harmonica dans un bien enlevé « You’re An Old Lady » (avec Billy Flynn gt et Kenny Smith aux drums), et aussi au chant dans l’ironique « Hot Dog Mama » en slow (avec Billy Flynn à la guitare). Le festival continue avec Matthew Skoller (chant et harmonica) et Billy Flynn (gt) dans un goûteux « Stop Breaking Down ». Lil’ Ed Williams est présent aussi au chant et guitare dans « Burning Fire » et dans un déjanté « Shake Your Moneymaker ». Et bien sûr, tout du long, on a un Johnny Iguana au piano, inspiré et boosté par des partenaires prestigieux, en ce compris des instrumentaux bien enlevés comme « Big Easy Women » et « Motorhome ». A noter, un inattendu « Lady Day and John Coltrane », sur un texte de Gil Scott-Heron dédié à Billie Holiday et à Coltrane, avec Phillip-Michael Scales (chant et guitare). Un seul petit reproche, cet album enregistré en janvier 2019 au Shirk Studio de Chicago ne dépasse pas 39 minutes. Avec la somme de talents en présence on aurait pu espérer quelques faces en plus….mais voilà c’est comme cela, court mais mémorable…. dont acte. Enjoy.

SAMPLE & ORDER CD, DOWNLOAD or STREAM, RIGHT HERE…!!!

Johnny Iguana’s Chicago Spectacular!

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