Cedell
Davis: Feel Like Doin’ Somebody Wrong (Fat Possum/Epitaph
80322-2)
Those of us who’ve - genuinely - investigated the
stranger byways of the recorded musics of the 20s - and
of the late 40s-early 50s (not to mention the field recordings
gathered by generations of dedicated scholars) - all-too-justifiably
bemoan the paucity of bizarre one-offs turned-up by “blues”
labels in more recent times. Since, far too often, they’ve
plumped for basically-generic crowd-pleasers...and ignored
more seriously individualistic talents as a consequence.
Because...to some of us, figures like King Solomon Hill,
Lane Hardin, Wright Holmes or Robert Pete Williams are
kings - whilst their more “accessible” peers
are mere easy listening. But, in this company, Cedell
Davis can stand tall (polio notwithstanding) - and for
this, perhaps, in particular, Fat Possum is to be praised,
far above all other contemporary “blues” labels...
Cause Cedell is a one-off.
His sour-as-green-persimmon lap slide - played w/a tableknife
- has the kind of willful grace that wider audiences are,
only now, just beginning to grasp. With a band, he can
offer us a nigh-on “accessible” southern jump
blues...that only betrays its uncanny individualism in
snatches - a grassroots “surrealist” Pat Hare,
if you will...
But solo...hell, solo, the man almost approximates some
unholy melding of no-wave tonality and delta grunt, that
simultaneously harks back to the rawest of field recordings...as
well as reaching forward to some private take on the microtonal
blues “language” that almost makes me sick...
Cause - as (the great) Papa Lord God would say - “this
is the shit”
In this context, his - surprisingly - “true”
cover of “Boogie Chillen No.2” (w/some help
from the great R.L. Burnside) genuinely makes sense, albeit
John Lee’s tonality was far less individualistic
(but the reverse is clearly true of his rhythmic sense).
Because...to quote Robert Palmer’s marvelous liner
notes to this, Cedell’s first ever album, “I
am in awe of that mind”
And, you will be too... Just try his solo take on the
immortal “Green Onions”...if you need convincing.
Because Cedell’s take on blues microtonality is uniquely
original, yet entirely “right”...once you’ve
entered his world. And, lest you think I’m exaggerating,
Ornette Coleman (no less) is a long-term fan...and has
jammed w/him on numerous occasions (albeit, sadly, w/no
issued recordings to date)...
so...please - just let this twisted gutbucket into your
room...
John Henry Calvinist
