Elvin Bishop Source: The Blind Man’s Blues Forum Date: 08/2008 Writer: n/a

"The Blues Rolls On"

I did a good turn for Delta Groove honcho Randy Chortkoff at the Wheeling Heritage Music Blues Fest by holding Bobby Jones' jacket and, later, vest on my chair. In return he offered me anything from the label's catalog. I'm a big fan of Kirk Fletcher's Shades of Blue, but didn't have the reissue with added material so I asked him for a signed copy. A few days later I received it in the mail plus a live anthology of DG
performers, an Eclecto Groove sampler and this record.

I'm usually not big on guest artist filled releases, they tend to go all over the place and lack any real focus as well as varying in quality from song to song. The ones I do enjoy work because the sessions come together through a central theme maintained or by the strength of the main performer. The Blues Rolls On works because the overall feel is fairly consistent band Elvin Bishop knows how to work and play well with others. The first word that pops into my head when I think of Elvin is fun, the second is party.

Dating back to the 70's I equate Bishop with a rollicking good time. His shows from then 'til today have always brought a smile to my face. I'm not always one for his studio records, but dig the live ones. His live CD with Little Smokey Smothers was one of my favorites from the time it was released and I still touch base with it now and again when I need a boost. That Elvin can combine the Blues chops of his early Chicago days
as the Okie who stumbled upon the scene there and joined up with Paul Butterfield and co. with his raucous rock outings from the 70's makes for a tasty stew. It also allows for a little waggle room when it comes to the eclectic nature of his guests. Having George Thorogood, Warren Haynes, John Nemeth and James Cotton onboard is not as big a stretch as it would be with other performers who'd seem like a fish outta water in at least a few circumstances. Along with his diversity, Elvin is especially good at stirrin' the pot.

The ingredients he has to work with here are choice and they each bring something worthy. The title track leads off with trademark work from Haynes on guitar and Kim Wilson's harp. Warren's harder edges are nicely balanced by the rhythm section and Wilson blows bubbly and bright. It's your basic the magic is in the blues groove which keeps rollin' on and on complete with a litany of those Bishop feel have it in spades.
"Struttin' My Stuff" is a chestnut from Bishop's Capricorn Records heyday in the mid 70's and benefits mightily from a funky, slip slidin' guitar army featuring Haynes, Derek Trucks, Johnny "V" Venazza and Mike Schermer. Funky fine stuff.

The aforementioned Mr. Thorogood reminds me much more of the guy I
heard and enjoyed on Rounder Records in the late 70's here than the blues rock
star he became. Especially on vocals you can hear what his voice is about, vulnerabilities and all. "Send You Back to Georgia" is more joyous romp than macho rant, which is something missing from his later work. Jr. Wells' "Come On In this House" is wonderfully rendered by the young and talented Homemade Jamz Blues Band which is comprised by three siblings. Oldest brother Ryan Perry (all of 14 at the time of the
recording) recalls Wells effortlessly without slipping into youthful mimicry. 11 year old bass man Kyle lays down a rubbery bottom end that works just right to lock things down with rhythm section partner/sister Taya(9) who stays in the pocket on drums, creating a loping feel that works just right. They are the real deal at a young age and bring that
little something extra to the proceedings that help this collection click.

The true revelation of The Blues Rolls On, however, is singer/harp man
John Nemeth. Wow. I have three records by this cat, have seen him live and
he never ceases to amaze. There's nothing but prime choice on his four appearances here. He shines vocally on "Night Time Is The Right Time," Who's The Fool" and "I Found Out," mining all the gold his soulful voice is capable of producing. The last one features James Cotton's distinctive harmonica riffin' off Terry Hanck's guttural sax. Nemeth
returns to close things out on harp with an instrumental take on "Honest I Do" that leaves the listener smiling and wanting more.

Throughout, Bishop serves as combination ringmaster/lion tamer/conjurer of
spirits. His good nature and solid chops keep things even handed and, of course, fun. The Solo "Oklahoma" is all Elvin on guitar, vocals and foot percussion harking back to his youth and all the greats he saw upon his arrival to the windy city. It's grit, spit and joy and represents what the man is all about as well as anything. The centerpiece of the proceedings would be "Keep A Dollar In Your Pocket" with BB King on guitar. It begins and ends with banter between the two and what comes in between is King pickin' at its most righteous. It's great to have the man still able to move his audience as well as those
he's performing with and Bishop seems to drink in every moment, reveling in the company kept. With depth and variety to spare, The Blues Rolls On is as about as good a party record as you'll find, crack open a cold one and crank it up.