Albums That Deserve Another Listen
Charlie Musselwhite - Continental Drifter (1999)
01. No
02. Can't Stay Away From You
03. Voodoo Garden
04. Little Star
05. Que Te Parece
06. Chan Chan
07. Sabroso
08. Siboney
09. My Time Someday
10. Blues Up The River
11. Please Remember Me
Credits:
Vocals, Harmonica – Charlie Musselwhite (tracks: 1 to 11)
Guitar – John Wedemeyer (tracks: 1 to 4 & 9)
Piano, Organ – Joe Heidemann (tracks: 1 to 4 & 9)
Bass – Felton Crews (tracks: 1 to 4 & 9)
Drum, Percussion – David Rokeach (tracks: 1 to 4 & 9)
Vocals, Guitars – Eliades Ochoa & Humberto Ochoa (tracks: 5 to 8)
Vocals, Maracas – Eglis Ochoa Hidalgo (tracks: 5 to 8)
Vocals, Percussion – Roberto Torres (tracks: 5 to 8)
Vocals, Bass – William Calderon (tracks: 5 to 8)
This album contains material from three sessions, the band-session, the Cuban session and a solo session. Recorded in Bergen, Norway, at Grieghallen Studio and recorded in S.F. Bay area at Fantasy Studio, Toast Studios, Russian Hill Studios.
Charlie Musselwhite has consistently incorporated different styles into his already generous repertoire. Continental Drifter is a split session consisting of "The Band Session" with his touring group, and "The Cuban Session" with internationally renowned musicians Eliades Ochoa and Cuarteto Patria. Recorded between Norway's Grieghallen Studios and Fantasy Studios in San Francisco, CA, the record was released on April 20, in 1999. On the cuts with his touring group, he explores a few mellow shuffles that remind one of his Chicago days with Barry Goldberg and Harvey Mandel. Musselwhite's mellow tenor vocals have found solid comfort on wax in recent years, and his harp control has matured to unspeakable heights. "The Cuban Session" transports the listener back to a club in old Havana, with Cuarteto Patria laying the groundwork for "Que Te Palece, Cholita", and radio hit "Chan Chan (Charlie's Blues)". As a special treat at the end of the album, Musselwhite gives a strikingly proficient Delta interpretation on the guitar. Continental Drifter's amalgamation of musical cultures is an important contribution to the Blues that will be felt for decades to come.
His daughter lives in New Orleans, and also is a blues musician (Layla). Many thanks, Bob!
ReplyDeleteHi pmac, unfortunately I've never had a chance to see Charlie perform live.
DeleteEffectively, great Album!
ReplyDeleteThank You Bob
Yep, it's certainly an outstanding album. Glad you agree.
DeleteThanks for Charlie. One of the greatest harp players ever. I thought he had died and am surprised to see he will be 80 in a few months at the end of January, 2024.
ReplyDeleteAgree JakeBlues, Charlie is a stunning harp player. He was mind-bogglingly good when he first appeared on the music scene in 1966 and it was hard to imagine that he could get any better, but that's what he did.
DeleteFirst listen to me! Thank you, Bob!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Yara.
DeleteGreat one, Bob, thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Mike, yep a mighty good album.
DeleteHello Bob
ReplyDeleteWe have agreed on some of Egroj's posts and in yours I have already seen a few interesting things.
Thank you very much for making your blog public!
You're very welcome. I hope you enjoy it here and find lots of music you like. 😁👍
DeleteThank you! (If not for your own review, I might have decided to leave this one "undownloaded." But given that it's among your favorites, I figure I really should give it a listen, too!)
ReplyDeleteHi Crab Devil, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Blues harp doesn't get any better than you'll hear on this album.
Delete