"BLUES IN BRITAIN"
This review is appearing in the current issue of the British publication “Blues In Britain”… 8/22/08
Big Joe Shelton was born in north-east Mississippi and encountered the blues as a youngster, befriending no less a personage than Big Joe Williams, and he began playing guitar and harmonica in his teens. He later moved to Chicago, before returning back down south. There is little doubt then that he knows his stuff, but just in case ‘Black Prairie Blues’ (Alt 45 Records, no issue number)) should dispel any lingering thoughts. Joe has a big voice, a wonderful non-flashy harmonica style, and at his best sometimes recalls Howling Wolf. Many of his tracks are good old-fashioned house-rocking juke-joint blues, but as the opener shows, even without a band he can whip up a storm (shades of Rice Miller). Down-home Alabama bluesman Willie King is a friend of Joe’s and turns in a brief guest appearance on what is a very fine set indeed.
Rating: 8 - Norman Darwen
(www.bigjoeshelton.com)
Big Joe Shelton was born in north-east Mississippi and encountered the blues as a youngster, befriending no less a personage than Big Joe Williams, and he began playing guitar and harmonica in his teens. He later moved to Chicago, before returning back down south. There is little doubt then that he knows his stuff, but just in case ‘Black Prairie Blues’ (Alt 45 Records, no issue number)) should dispel any lingering thoughts. Joe has a big voice, a wonderful non-flashy harmonica style, and at his best sometimes recalls Howling Wolf. Many of his tracks are good old-fashioned house-rocking juke-joint blues, but as the opener shows, even without a band he can whip up a storm (shades of Rice Miller). Down-home Alabama bluesman Willie King is a friend of Joe’s and turns in a brief guest appearance on what is a very fine set indeed.
Rating: 8 - Norman Darwen
(www.bigjoeshelton.com)
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ken Pustelnik on -
Hi there mr. Shelton;
Good review in Blues In Britain , interesting reference to Big Joe Williams , in 1968 we were touring with what was at that time the premier blues tour in Europe. We were working with our friend John Lee Hooker while others on the tour included
Jimmy Reed and a certain Big Joe Williams. We liked Mr. Williams and arranged for him to
make a record for our own label ( called " Groundhog Series " ) here in London .
The resulting album was titled " Hand me down my old walking stick " and was released on our main label at the time Liberty/ United Artists.
What stuck in my mind about Big Joe was the way he just sat in his dressing room
playing away all by himself and then went straight on the stage and played his set and his
delight at telling us all that even though the other guys on the tour were good they all knew
who was the best.
When I took him to the studio to record the album we got a taxi and once we had got ourselves seated he looked at me and said " have you ever driven a Model-T-Ford "
wonderful.
kind regards and I hope this evokes pleasant memories for you
Ken Pustelnik
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Permalink Reply by Big Joe Shelton on
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Great story Ken. Sounds just like him. Big Joe certainly didn't suffer from low self-esteem.
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