Piedmont Blues artists, and Blues Hall of Fame inductees, Sonny Terry, and Brownie McGhee were a duo for the ages. For nearly 40 years, their combination of acoustic guitar, harmonica, and powerhouse vocals, caused a ripple in the great ocean of music, still felt today.
Enter the “Ambassador of the Blues,” Guy Davis, and Italian harmonica master, Fabrizio Poggi. Their upcoming album release, Sonny & Brownie’s Last Train – A Look Back at Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry, hits the streets on March 24th. Delivered by M.C. Records, this project was produced by Poggi, and recorded, live in studio, in Milan, Italy. “It’s meant”, in Davis’ words, “to be a love letter to Brownie and Sonny, signed by the both of us.”
Eleven of the twelve tracks are covers, but the record begins with an original composition. “Sonny and Brownie’s Last Train,” written by Davis, couldn’t be a more fitting tribute. Although damn few artists could match Terry’s whoops and hollers, the harp on this opener conjures the slow chug, and haunting whistle, of an old locomotive pulling out of the station. Davis’ story-telling vocals apprise the tale of that train, meant just for the two of them. As the train picks up speed, so does the tune, and there, right there, the far-away whoops come in, as familiar as mom’s Sunday supper. You can hear the tears in Davis’ voice when the train, and the song, slow to a grind, and he says, “Goodbye Sonny. Goodbye Brownie. See you on the other side.”
This is country blues, the likes of which one rarely hears anymore. Two veteran masters of their craft, whose years of playing together still display respect to their influences. Not only the guitar, and harp of McGhee, and Terry, but the storytelling prowess of Big Bill Broonzy, and Blind Willie McTell.
The cover songs that make up the rest of this fine offering, are all tunes that are known to have been recorded, or performed, by Terry and McGhee, throughout their storied careers. Many date back to the 1930s or before. From Johnnie Temple‘s, “Louise, Louise,” to St. Louis Jimmy Oden‘s, “Goin’ Down Slow,” the songs come from the Carolinas, Chicago, the Delta, and parts unknown. “Shortnin’ Bread,” has been covered by everyone from Al Jolson, to the Beach Boys, but Poggi and Davis bring their foot-stomping, sandpaper voiced version right to our front porch.
Although we’re unable to put a finger on a favorite track, “Baby Please Don’t Go To New Orleans,” is certainly in contention. It’s been called, “one of the most played, arranged, and rearranged pieces in blues history.” Inducted into both the Blues Foundation, and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, this standard takes on new life with some funkified guitar, and harmonica that reaches for the very heavens. On the prison, and railroad work song, “Take This Hammer,” we could feel the hammers, (wop), striking home at the end of each line. The wonted, “Midnight Special,” is delivered simply, and beautifully.
We’ll be the first to admit that Sonny & Brownie’s Last Train isn’t for everyone. It is, however, for anyone who appreciates acoustic blues from the old school. These are country folk songs, skillfully performed by two artists who love the extraordinary duo from whom they may have first heard them. They shine like polished chrome. Not for the Saturday night, boogie-woogie crowd. It’s for those of us who still enjoy a glass of sweet tea on a Sunday afternoon. If you fit that category, you’ll be doing yourself a disservice by not immediately purchasing this first-rate record.
Artist: Guy Davis & Fabrizio Poggi
Album: Sonny & Brownie’s Last Train – A Look Back at Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry
Label: M.C. Records
Release Date: March 24th, 2017
Running Time: 46:07
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