When last we left our hero, the youngish blues singer and harmonica player Grady Champion, he had just released his first record in seven or nine years, the 2010 reissue of 2008’s Back In Mississippi: Live at the 930 Blues Café. After strong critical response to this album, and the victory in the 2010 International Blues Challenge, Champion has come back right away with some new music.
Unlike the live album, which featured his regular band augmented by hotshot guitarist Eddie Cotton, Dreamin’ finds Champion teamed with his fellow Mississippian, the somewhat older Zac Harmon and his cohorts. At times, Champion seems more interested in Harmon’s legacy as songwriter in the 1980s for the likes of Evelyn “Champagne” King or K. Ci and Jo Jo, but there is enough down-home blues in both parties to please those of us who found the live record so engaging.
Grady Champion's Dreamin'
To kick things off, Champion went back to his 1999 Shanachie Records release, Payin’ For My Sins, which was produced by the ubiquitous Dennis Walker. Two of that album's songs, “My Rooster Is King” and “Dreamin’,” are given new treatments this time around. Given that they are both extremely entertaining numbers, and that the blues world still has a lot more people who never heard the originals than who did, this is a highly defensible move. “My Rooster Is King” lives up to its title. It’s easy to suspect that Champion’s knowledge of actual chickens comes from listening to Howlin’ Wolf and other blues singers, but he sure sells the strut with plenty of passion and grit. Not much happens in this song, but it’s a tough and tight way to get this album’s party started.
“Dreamin’” is better, a cowbell-fueled hardy R&B groove with an infectious hook and plenty of sharp male/female harmonies answering Champion’s gravel-laced dream voice. Zac Harmon’s guitarwork is, as throughout the album, matter-of-fact; he’s no original stylist, but he’s sharp and to the point. When Champion starts blowing his harmonica, he burns in the upper registers of the instrument, giving the cut a harder bite than it would have otherwise.
Weight Of The World
Then we come to “Weight of the World,” a pretty enough ballad to which Champion applies a particularly tender vocal touch. Unfortunately, the lyrics are as trite as they come. “I’ve seen you walk, you walk alone / Every day you roll that stone / I’ve seen you cry your sobbing way / Let me dry your eyes, don’t you be afraid.” And then it gets worse. “Let me take the weight of the world off of your shoulder / Let me make you believe you’re not alone.” The only saving grace is the interesting decision to use an accordion to add a fresh texture to what otherwise sounds like a weak 1980s R&B tribute.
“Guilty As Charged,” which Champion co-wrote with Kevin Bowe, one of a partnership responsible for the previous cut, at least has more tension in the situation and the vocals. In the world or R&B, as with country music, you almost can’t go completely wrong with a song about cheating. Harmon’s guitar, however, comes close to destroying the effect, bringing to mind the 1980s hair-metal power-ballad rulebook when soloing.
Make That Monkey Jump
After two strong but old songs, and two strange attempts at nostalgia for musical tropes most would like to forget, Champion’s album jumps off the ropes and comes out swinging hard the rest of the way. “Same Train” is the familiar situation of waiting at the station for the train that took my baby away to bring her back, but Champion’s vocals and Harmon’s guitar captures the combined hope and torture of waiting. She may or not actually return, but this song isn’t going to give up.
Champion and the band move down to a country juke joint for “Make That Money Jump,” a perfectly pitched little dance floor filler that really could go on a lot longer before wearing out its welcome. “Cross That Bridge” is another cheating song, this time with more than a hint of Memphis soul a la Hi Records from the 1970s providing the musical setting. Champion sounds defiant as he sings to his mistress, “Right now baby, I’m not gonna quit / Guess we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
The most original and inventive song on the record, “Thank You For Giving Me the Blues” inverts the classic trope of blues being the devil’s music. We’ve all heard songs begin with “woke up this morning with a whole lot on my mind,” but it’s far less common to follow up with “I just want to thank you, my Lord, for allowing me to get up on this stage just one more time.” With a hard Chicago blues sound provided by the band, Champion argues that the blues is on the side of the angels, or, as Bruce Springsteen once put it, it ain’t no sin to be glad you’re alive. As long as he has the spirit, Champion channels some Ray Charles and especially Sam Cooke gospel-vibes for “Laugh, Smile, Cry Sometimes,” a joyous romp through an old-fashioned approach.
Steve's Bottom Line
The record ends with a greasy floor-filling dance instrumental, “Walk With Me Baby,” a showcase for Champion’s collection of harp licks, and for Harmon’s ability to intone deeply invitations for his paramour to join him for a stroll. Six strong cuts in a row have all but washed away the memory of the two wrong turns earlier, and Dreamin’ is declared another victory in Grady Champion’s attempts to carry on the legacy of all those blues artists who inspired him. (GSM Music, released August 2, 2011)
Guide Disclosure: A review copy of this CD, DVD, or book was provided by the record label, publisher, or publicist. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
