Giles Robson & John Primer

Giles Robson is one of the most respected harmonica players around at the moment, standing tall amongst the likes of Charlie Musselwhite and Jason Ricci. John Primer is an American Chicago blues and electric blues singer and guitarist who played behind Junior Wells in the house band at Theresa's Lounge and as a member of the bands of Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters and Magic Slim before launching an award-winning career as a solo artist – he is also a multiple Grammy nominee, Blues Music, Blues Blast and living Blues Award winner, Blues Hall of Fame inductee.
If you want to get to the very heart of Chicago Blues, you won’t need to look much further than this pairing.

The title of the album is ’10 Chicago Blues Classics’ and that is exactly what you get.
Tracks from Muddy Waters, Little Walter, both Sonny Boy Williamsons and one by Eddie Taylor, all of them classics and, in this format, very much for those who enjoy Chicago Blues without any effects or embellishments.
Primer’s guitar is clean and tuneful while Robson blows a harp with apparent simplicity – something that only the best can manage.

All of the tracks are true to the heart of the Blues and true to the originals but the two put their own skills and style into every track.
The version of Muddy Waters ‘Rollin’ Stone’ is spare and the music has a brilliant edge to it with a fine vocal from Robson, sung rather shouted as Muddy himself was prone to do.
Little Walters ‘My Babe’ (written by Willie Dixon) has been covered hundreds of times but this version sounds fresh and eminently listenable.
‘Let Me Explain’ by Sonny Boy Williamson II (he was active at the same time as a Delta player by the same ‘name’ so was generally called II) is remarkably true to the original with Robson’s harmonica very close and a great choppy sound from Primer.
There is also a version of Sonny Boy Williamson I’s ‘Dealing With The Devil’ that has a more Delta feel to it.

All ten tracks are true Chicago Blues in style and the playing of both artists is superb.
It is modern but classic – a worthy album that any real Blues lover should want.

Track list:
1. Blow Wind Blow - Muddy Waters
2. My Babe - Little Walter
3. Rollin’ Stone - Muddy Waters
4. Juke (Instrumental) - Little Walter
5. Let Me Explain - Sonny Boy Williamson (no. 2)
6. Long Distance Call - Muddy Waters
7. Dealin’ With The Devil - Sonny Boy Williamson (No 1)
8. Got My Mojo Workin’ (Instrumental) - Muddy Waters
9. Bad Boy - Eddie Taylor
10. Last Night (Instrumental) - Little Walter