Oklahoma's Lowell Fulson has always been a sort of everyman of blues, effortlessly adapting his soul-blues style to whatever trends were breaking, all without losing his core sound. This live set from Japan's P-Vine Records, recorded in Tokyo on November 28, 1980, functions as a kind of career retrospective, with Fulson touching on his biggest hits, delivering solid renditions of "Everyday I Have the Blues," "Sinner's Prayer," "Blue Shadows," and the classic "Reconsider Baby." Saxophonist Lee Allen, a veteran sideman who has worked with Fats Domino, Little Richard, and countless others, gives these songs a nice, full sound, and he takes center stage for his signature tune, "Walkin' With Mr. Lee." The undisputed highlight here, though, is Fulson's "River Blues," first recorded in two parts in 1946. An atmospheric epic about prison work camps in Texas, it shows Fulson's eye as a writer, and the accumulation of small, finely observed details that make up the song gives it an unusual power. Fulson closes things out with his funk-infused hit, "Tramp." The sound throughout is full and clear, and the crowd noise is participatory rather than intrusive. A fine set. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide
A half century after he made his debut waxings, Fulson is still going strong -- and not as some museum piece, either. Still a vital blues artist who refuses to rest on his massive laurels, Fulson's latest is a fine addition to his vast discography, comprised mostly of fresh originals and featuring his customary biting guitar and insinuating vocals. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide
Lowell Fulson hadn't been as prolific over the couple of decades prior to One More Blues as he had been during the 1950s, but when he did get a chance to enter a studio, he usually emerged with some pretty impressive work. This 1984 album, first out on Black & Blue in France, is no exception -- the band is tight (Phillip Walker is rhythm guitarist), and Fulson came prepared with a sheaf of solid originals. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide
Nothing dated about this fine album, produced by organist Ron Levy -- Fulson sounds at once both contemporary and timeless, slashing through a mostly original set with Jimmy McCracklin helping out on piano and the sax section including Bobby Forte and Edgar Synigal. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide
The late Lowell Fulson had passed his peak when he recorded this album in London in 1984. After all, his classic sides had come in the '50s and '60s. But even a good 20 years later he could still cut it, as this disc shows all too clearly. Ably supported by Eddie C. Campbell on second guitar and John Altman on saxes, in addition to the excellent John Dummer on drums, Fulson showed that if he'd lost a step through age, he's gained two with experience. His guitar playing is as incisive as ever -- check out "Lowell's Jump" -- while his singing has simply taken on a rough, homespun authority. The album might not qualify as a classic the way his earlier work did, but it remains eminently listenable, with tracks like "Come Back Baby" absolutely timeless. ~ Chris Nickson, All Music Guide
While no one was anticipating longtime blues great Lowell Fulson to equal or even approach his masterful 1950s work on this session, he turned in a pleasantly competent date of both heartache numbers and more upbeat tunes. Fulson's leads were clear and nicely phrased, his guitar work still tasty and clever. He interspersed some swamp pop, Texas shuffle, and urban blues riffs into his material, and on "Blues and My Guitar" displayed the fluidity and performance magic that made his classic sides unforgettable. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide