Eddy Clearwater Albums (15)
What The Critics Say
The Chief Eddy Clearwater's West Side Strut is his first release for the Alligator label, and while nothing here is a surprise, Clearwater's Chicago blues/Chuck Berry hybrid remains evident as he works his way through a mix of rock & roll, country, soul, and gospel. Along with Clearwater is a stellar group of fellow Windy City musicians led by second guitarist (and producer) Ronnie Baker Brooks and his band, a horn section, and appearances by Billy Branch on harp, guitarist Lonnie Brooks, and backup vocals by Otis Clay and Jimmy Johnson. Spirited cover versions of Muddy Waters' "Walking Through the Park" and Lowell Fulson's "Trouble, Trouble" are highlights, as are the gutbucket blues "A Good Leavin' Alone," "Blue Over You," and the autobiographical "They Call Me the Chief." West Side Strut is another solid effort for the Chief and Alligator, as well. ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The association seems unusual at first glance, but Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater's roots rock and blues backed by Los Straitjackets' twangy surf results in a potent combination. Other than the participants' colorful choice of headgear, this joint venture urges Clearwater to his most rocking and uninhibited studio performances, while expanding his stylistic boundaries. Never a straight bluesman, the Chief's Chuck Berry tendencies are well established. But even though he tosses off another in a long line of Berry-esque rockers with a "Johnny B. Goode"-heavy "Hillbilly Blues," this album explores his non-blues roots more thoroughly. The opening cover of "You're Humbuggin' Me" kicks things off with a blast of '50s Little Richard abandon. Elsewhere, he moves into spaghetti Western, reverbed instrumental/rockabilly waters -- no doubt provoked by the Straitjackets -- on "Monkey Paw." Clearwater also tosses in a few Ray Charles-styled R&B '50s nuggets in "I Love You" and "Before This Song Is Over," both originals that sound like authentic lost gems due partially to Dennis Taylor's tough tenor sax. New Orleans rhythms rule on Clearwater's cover of Fats Domino's "Let the Four Winds Blow," and he hits an easygoing rockabilly vibe on "Midnight Groove," another horn and guitar-driven burner. "Back Down to Earth" also mixes swamp soul with country blues in an intoxicating blend. Closing with "Good Times Are Coming," a six-minute gospel-tinged slow blues with only a lonely organ as accompaniment, brings Clearwater full circle and ends the album on its mellowest note. The guitarist sounds jovial and inspired throughout, trading licks with Los Straitjackets' Eddie Angel and Danny Amis and singing with an upbeat affability that makes it sound as if he's in your living room. With its diverse menu and crackling performances, Rock 'n' Roll City demonstrates that Eddy Clearwater excels at far more than his existing catalog indicates. ~ Hal Horowitz, All Music Guide
'Reservation Blues'
Release Date 9/12/2000
Tracks 11
Label Bullseye Blues
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What The Critics Say
Eddy Clearwater is equally talented as a bluish singer and as an improvising guitarist. On Reservation Blues, he ranges from Chicago blues to rock & roll, throwing in a couple instrumentals too. His repertoire includes both socially relevant lyrics and good-time music, featuring some of the latter when the former gets a bit too somber. Although there are some solid solos from his supporting players (including three guitar spots for Duke Robillard, two fine solos from tenor saxophonist Dennis Taylor, and a guest appearance by Carey Bell on harmonica during "Find Yourself"), Clearwater is the main star throughout. Fortunately, he is heard in prime form, whether happily jamming "I Wouldn't Lay My Guitar Down" and "Blues Cruise" or singing in a more serious mood on "Winds of Change" and "Everything to Gain." A gem. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Cool Blues Walk'
Release Date 10/6/1998
Tracks 11
Label Bullseye Blues
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Produced by Duke Robillard and utilizing his band as the backing unit, Cool Blues Walk is tightly focused from note one, making a marvelous framework for "The Chief" to do exactly what he does best. With the exception of the covers "Sen-Say-Shun," "Stranded," and "I Just Want to Make Love to You," Eddy Clearwater wrote every tune aboard in his usual wide range of styles from the rocking "Very Good Condition" to the country-ish "Nashville Road" to the shuffling "Boppin' at the Top of the Rock." Clearwater continues to surprise with a rare appearance playing piano and singing the decidedly non-blues-like ballad "I Love You" which also features Marilyn Mair and Mark Davis adding mandocello and mandola to this distinctive tune. Robillard shares solo space with Clearwater throughout the album, and their exchanges on the moody "Blues for a Living" is solid blues playing in two contrasting styles. Perhaps Clearwater's most focused album to date, this 1998 outing captures a '50s West Side bluesman still at the peak of his abilities. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide
'Chicago Blues Session, Vol. 23'
Release Date 6/18/1998
Tracks 8
Label Wolf
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What The Critics Say
This OK live set isn't the equivalent of his later Rooster Blues concert set, though. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide
'Mean Case of the Blues'
Release Date 1/1/1996
Tracks 10
Label Cleartone
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What The Critics Say
Clearwater comes up with a compelling mix of tunes on this 10-track outing, his first for the Bullseye Blues imprint. The southpaw guitarist covers a wide range of styles (as befitting a true West Side guitarist, where versatility is a badge of merit) including Magic Sam's "Look Whatcha Done," and Nat King Cole's "Send for Me," Gene Allison's "You Can Make It If You Try" and Clearwater originals like "Party at My House," "Don't Take My Blues," "Hard Way to Make an Easy Living," "Love Being Loved By You," and the title track. Produced by Eddy and utilizing his regular working band with guest appearances from Jerry Soto on keyboards, Mike Peavey on saxophone, Steven Frost on trumpet and Billy Branch on harmonica, this is the Chief just laying it down simple and hard, doing what he does best -- delivering taut and shimmering West Side guitar and vocals with a vengeance. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Veteran producer Ralph Bass produced this collection back in 1977 for a blues album series that never materialized; Delmark finally brought it to domestic light recently. Solid, unpretentious package that shows both Clearwater's West Side-styled southpaw guitar sound and his Chuck Berry-oriented capacity for rocking the house. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide
'Live at the Kingston Mines, Chicago, 1978'
Release Date 1/12/1993
Tracks 10
Label New Rose Blues
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Eddy Clearwater has had a tough time shaking his "Chuck Berry imitator" label, and he includes Berry-tinged numbers at the halfway point and end of this nice, if thoroughly derivative, urban blues set recorded in 1989 for Black and Blue and recently reissued by Evidence on CD, with the familiar country boogie shuffle and tinkling licks. Clearwater could not do a set without the signature "Lay My Guitar Down," and this rendition is surging and enjoyable although inferior to the definitive one. Otherwise, it is a pile-driving and urgently performed date; Clearwater and Will Crosby swap slashing lines, crackling phrases, and answering fills. Clearwater's session contains several robust, entertaining passages, even if there is absolutely nothing you have not heard before. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
As yet unavailable on compact disc, Clearwater's encore LP for Rooster Blues wasn't quite the equal of its predecessor but registered as a solid enough outing nonetheless. The Chief coined a new term for the rollicking title track, engaged in some harrowing blues during a lengthy "Black Night" medley, and rocked the house with a '50s-styled "Do This Town Tonight." ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide
