Boogie 'n ' Shuffle
Stony Plain SPCD 1266
Bad Luck Blues/Let's Work It Out/Just Got To Know/Greenville/Hello Stranger/Home In Your Heart/Blackjack/Boogie & Shuffle/Every Night, Every Day/Come Here Baby/Just Your Fool/Greenback
Arnold has moved from Alligator to Canada for this new release. An important figure from the early Chicago blues scene, the 'Gator crowd released a couple of powerful recordings, with some strong performers behind him. Stony Plain have another ace up there sleeve, and have the Duke Robillard band backing Arnold.
With Duke's talents as an arranger and his chameleon-like ability to find the right sound to fit with whoever he is supporting (he's done Jimmy Witherspoon and Wes Montgomery, for example!), this album was a sure fire winner.
If you haven't found Billy Boy Arnold yet, I suggest you do. He is a great song writer, good singer and harp player. He blows harp how it used to be, in support of the vocal, doesn't overdo the soloing and adds just the right amount of colour.
This recording features some new material, such as "Bad Luck Blues" and covers, at least one of which, "Just Got To Know", Arnold has recorded before.
These recordings are a good showcase for Arnold's vocal ability and his song writing skills.
