"The Skinny"
Ian Siegal And The Youngest Sons
Nugene Records
Take one of the finest traditional styled blues performers in England and team him up with a group of Mississippi guys who’ve grown up listening to the music their entire lives and you’re sure to come up something a little next to amazing. Okay, maybe not every time, but it certainly is the case with Ian Siegal’s newest CD, The Skinny. Gathering a group of offspring from some of the best known Mississippians this is a remarkable package of blues that sound more at home in the Hill Country or Delta than coming from the British Isles.
The group is made up of Cody Dickinson, son of the late producer/performer James Dickinson and drummer for The North Mississippi All Stars; Garry Burnside, the youngest son of blues legend R.L. Burnside holding down the bass; Junior Kimbrough’s son Robert Kimbrough on guitar; and Bobby Bland’s son Rodd Bland also offering drums. Special guests include Andre Turner, Duwayne Burnside and Alvin Youngbood Hart. It just does not get any more authentic or better than that.
Recorded in Coldwater, Mississippi in August 2010 at the Zebra Ranch and produced by Cody Dickinson, the album opens with a charcoal-voiced Siegal throwing down vicious slide guitar with a huge bass backbeat and Alvin Youngblood Hart on second guitar on “The Skinny.” It is the first of seven tracks written by Siegal and sets a nice pace for the following numbers. “Hound Dog In The Manger” is a gritty Delta-styled number with a deep haunting sound where Siegal and Robert Kimbrough pair with greasy guitar sounds. “Natch’l Low (Coolin’ Board)” sounds as if it could’ve been pulled off of any R.L. Burnside or Junior Kimbrough disc and pays a nice homage to Holly Springs, Mississippi’s blues elders. “Better Than Myself” continues the natural feel of the theme in a nice acoustic vein. And “Devil’s In The Detail” is a rousing drum and fife style number that is pure Mississippi tradition with Andre Turner providing classic flute lines. Siegal also pulls out a rockin'’piece with “Hopper (Blues For Dennis)” that has a cool heavier guitar groove in tribute to the late actor Dennis Hopper.
Other songs featured on the disc are fine covers, including Tony Joe White’s “Stud Spider and a hip-shaking “Moonshine Minnie.” Garry Burnside also contributed a pair of tracks to the recording.
Overall, The Skinny is an enjoyable release by Ian Siegal & The Youngest Sons that fits nicely alongside your favorite North Mississippi blues men. Quite a feat for somebody who lives on the other side of the Atlantic. He’s has the spirit within him and the authenticity of those who know it best backing him. Very cool album.
Total Time: 61:09
The Skinny / Stud Spider / Master Plan / Hound Dog In The Manger / Picnic Jam / Natch’l Low (Coolin’ Board) / Better Than Myself / Devil’s In The Detail / Moonshine Minnie / Garry’s Nite Out / Hopper (Blues For Dennis)
Reviewed by Greg Johnson
Bookmark with:
Joe Louis Walker
