The album ends with what deserves to become a holiday standard, though one wonders what the crowd three days after the Fourth of July thought about something called “Blues on Christmas.” It’s been a long time since anybody has come up with a truly clever and interesting new idea for a Christmas blues song, but the day Champion wrote the line “Santa took my milk, my cookies, and my woman, too” was one which should be marked on the calendar. Really, this is worse than losing a woman to your best friend – Santa Claus is not one who takes away, he’s one who gives.
Steve's Bottom Line
Grady Champion has already conquered one of the most important steps in building a blues resume. He has his own voice, his own take on the world, lyrically and vocally. His harp playing may not be strikingly original, but it’s emotionally rich, and he never overdoes it. By wisely allying himself with the great Eddie Cotton on guitar, and assembling a first-rate band to boot, Champion has put together an invigorating and mostly delightful, mostly live album. May he continue to record and grow. (Earwig Music, released July 20, 2010)
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