Roots and Branches: The Songs of Little Walter

by Billy Branch, Billy Branch & the Sons of Blues

Overview

Billy Branch earned the throne of king of Chicago Blues harp during the last quarter of the 20th Century, then held it during the first decades of the new millennium. One of the keys to his enduring success is how he didn't merely keep traditions alive, he made sure to blend in elements of funk and soul into Chicago blues, a trick that brought new audiences into the fold while helping the music breathe. In this light, the 2019 album Roots And Branches: The Songs Of Little Walter-recorded with the Sons Of Blues, as nearly all of his albums are-doesn't seem quite so obvious as it might initially appear. Little Walter's influence on Chicago blues in general and harmonicaists in particular is immense, so a tribute album doesn't seem necessarily necessary, yet Branch knows that traditions are kept alive through revivals. The canny thing he and Sons Of Blues do on Roots And Branches is not serve up re-creations of old Chess sides. Sometimes, they do pack an earthy wallop-there may be no other way to deliver "Boom Boom Out Go The Lights"-but there are plenty of sly surprises in the arrangements. "Juke" glides by on a funky rhythm, "My Babe" opens up the gospel vamp so it veers into jazz, "Mellow Down Easy" swings hard and "Blues With A Feeling" has an elasticity to its arrangement that allows the entire band to shine. By changing up the classics, Branch and Sons Of Blues have space to bear down hard on some chestnuts, and the combination winds up not only illustrating the endurance of the Little Walter songbook but the resiliency of Chicago blues itself. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	07/05/2019
Label:	Alligator / Alligator Records
UPC:	0014551499220
Rank:	190250

Tracks

1. Nobody But You
2. Mellow Down Easy
3. Roller Coaster
4. Blue and Lonesome
5. Hate to See You Go
6. My Babe
7. Juke
8. Last Night
9. Just Your Fool/Key to the Highway
10. Boom Boom Out Go the Lights
11. It's Too Late Brother
12. One More Chance With You
13. You're So Fine
14. Blues With a Feeling
15. Remembering Little Walter by Marion Diaz (Little Walter's Daughter)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Billy Branch & the Sons of Blues   Primary Artist
Billy Branch   Primary Artist,Vocals,Harmonica
Giles Corey   Guitar
Shoji Naito   Guitar
Ariyo Sumito Ariyoshi   Piano
Andrew "Blaze" Thomas   Drums

Technical Credits

Blaise Barton   Mastering,Mixing,Engineer
Ellas McDaniel   Composer
Walter Jacobs   Composer
Carlos Johnson   Composer
Al Duncan   Composer
Brian Leach   Engineer
Billy Branch   Producer,Group Member
Bruce Iglauer   Liner Notes
Willie Dixon   Composer
Kevin Niemiec   Package Design
Billy Branch & the Sons of Blues   Arranger
Giles Corey   Group Member
Shoji Naito   Group Member
Ariyo Sumito Ariyoshi   Producer,Group Member
Ryan Lewis   Composer
Andrew "Blaze" Thomas   Group Member
Roman Sobus   Photography
Janet Mami Takayama   Tray Photo
Oscar Ivan Pintor   Illustrations
Rosa Enrico Branch   Producer