Somebody Told the Truth

by Cephas & Wiggins

Overview

The acoustic duo's first album in three years doesn't substantially alter the twosome's established game plan. But its well-recorded mix of studio and live tracks -- including one with a full yet laid-back band -- shows them to be at the top of their form. Combining traditional Delta and Piedmont blues and gospel classics like Robert Johnson's "Last Fair Deal Going Down" (a concert staple that finally makes it to disc), Blind Boy Fuller's salty, suggestive "Something Smells," and Skip James' "Sick Bed Blues" with their similarly styled originals proves they are not stuck in the past, even as they revel in visiting and interpreting it. John Cephas' "The Pimp in the Pink Suit," with its cowboy chorus, could just as well have been written in the '30s. Phil Wiggins shines on "Burn Your Bridges," an instrumental showcase for his lip-shredding harmonica gymnastics that is as compelling as anything from the great Sonny Terry, an obvious influence. While the torchy, supper club jazz of "Darkness on the Delta" (featuring Tal Farlow on guitar) is an interesting tangent, it doesn't really fit with the rest of the more roots-oriented material. But with their devotion to authentic ragtime, folk, deep blues, and religious music, Somebody Told the Truth is another uncompromising entry into Cephas & Wiggins' exceptional catalog. ~ Hal Horowitz

Product Details

Release Date:	09/17/2002
Label:	Alligator Records
UPC:	0014551488828
Rank:	106723

Tracks

1. Stack and the Devil
2. Railroad Bill
3. Last Fair Deal Gone Down
4. Sick Bed Blues
5. The Pimp in the Pink Suit
6. Burn Your Bridges
7. Darling Cora
8. Forgiveness
9. Bowling Green Strut
10. Darkness on the Delta
11. Reno Factory
12. Somebody Told the Truth on Me
13. Something Smells

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Cephas & Wiggins   Primary Artist
Tal Farlow   Guitar
John Cephas   Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
John Stewart   Guitar (Rhythm)
Phil Wiggins   Vocals,Harmonica
Steve "Syco Steve" Williams   Drums
Rob Thomas   Bass

Technical Credits

Joe Wilson   Producer
Traditional   Composer
Pete Reiniger   Engineer
John Cephas   Composer
Robert Johnson   Composer
Ronnie Freeland   Engineer
Jerry Livingston   Composer
Phil Wiggins   Composer
Harry James   Composer
Paul Natkin   Photography
David Forte   Package Design
Joe "Flip" Wilson   Producer,Liner Notes