| Lucky Peterson | |
|
Lucky Peterson
Lucky and I go back a good ways, to the mid 80's, when he was playing B-3 for Sarasota Slim. Slim was doing the local gig thing, here in central Fla., and was hired by WMNF, the great public radio station in Tampa, to play their annual "Tropical Heat Wave". This yearly event features an array of local, national, and sometimes
international talent. I was traveling with Bill Wharton {Bill Wharton & The Ingredients} and we caught Lucky with Slim's band in the basement of the Cuban Club in Ybor City.
No one had seen Lucky play much guitar in those days so Wharton and I were amazed to see Lucky grab Slim's prized vintage Les Paul Jr. and leap from the stage into the audience. Momentarily he was on his knees at our feet in the middle of the room playing some of the most blazin' blues guitar we had ever heard. This is the kind of playing
that sends chills running up and down your spine, that sticks in your musical memory for a lifetime. Fortunately Lucky still plays
like this and has much the same effect on folks who see him for the first time or on folks like me who've seen him scores of
times.
This guy has been through some monster changes since then, both musically and otherwise and this latest record is apt and living proof of that. Mostly he's really mellowed and has begun to do the kind of serious interpretations of the great
music that we find on this album.
The lineup of tunes boldly begins with Ernie Isley's stompin' blues, Deal With It. On this number he pays
homage to the Isley Brothers but especially to Jimi Hendrix and his roots. The next song, The Otherside, may be the best
on the album. Written by Rico McFarland and Mike Gray, this great swingin' minor blues is the perfect vehicle for Lucky to
cruise to new heights, especially in the vocals department. Arranged by Lucky (as are all the others), this tune not only showcases
his marvelous voice but reveals his talent for writing and arranging harmonies. All the tunes on this album are covers, except the
next, Tribute To Luther Allison. In his will, Luther left to Lucky a beautiful black Les Paul Custom. They were great friends
and Lucky's lyrics say a lot about that and the loss that he feels. Soul hit, Shake, by Sam Cooke is covered to the max. The
horns kick ass!! Also covered extremely well is the great Willie Nelson hit, Funny How Time Slips Away. Great vocals!!
Later there's Ask Me Nothing 'Bout The Blues, a great slow blues in E minor written by Deadric Malone and Heny
Boozier.
Other notables on this record are: Seduction written by Earl King, and a great version of one of my favorites,
Ta' Ta' You, by Johnny "Guitar" Watson. Last in this terrific line up of tunes is an instrumental of Bobbie Gentry's old
great hit Ode To Billie Joe.
On Jan. 27, 2001 I saw a great live show with Lucky and his father, the great bluesman James Peterson.
The music was just fabulous!! If you get a chance to see Lucky perform, DON'T pass it up. It's an experience that will be
with you for the rest of your life.
Jeffrey Clements
Blue Thumb Records
jclements@americansofmusic.com
Contributing Writer
