Charlie MUSSELWHITE - Continental Drifter 1999

Charlie MUSSELWHITE - Continental Drifter 1999

Blues

**CONTINENTAL DRIFTER was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for;
Full DescriptionBest Contemporary Blues Album.**

Charlie Musselwhite's is the voice of experience. One can hear it on every note of Continental Drifter, where the relaxed feel of the experienced bluesman is evident in the main harmonica riff of "Little Star" and the smooth, Delta-style guitar of "Blues Up the River." Several of the songs have a strong Cuban-Brazilian feel, and Musselwhite is joined on several of these by friend Eliades Ochoa and his band, Cuarteto Patria. Musselwhite's primarily known as a harmonica player, and it's easy to hear why on this album; whether he's spicing up the Cuban-blues mix of "Sabroso" or soloing over the jumpy rhythm of "Can't Stay Away from You," he's always bang on the note.
By Genevieve Williams. AMG.
**
Musselwhite became a blues legend by capturing the soulfulness of blues's greatest harp player, Little Walter, while still injecting an undeniable originality into his playing. Musselwhite's thick, driving sound is featured to fine effect on CONTINENTAL DRIFTER, from the straight-ahead 12-bar shuffle of "No" to the swinging, "Tequila"-like rhythm of "Can't Stay Away From You." What makes this recording unique in Musselwhite's catalogue though, is the incorporation of pronounced Cuban and Brazilian influences. "Little Star" is a bright Barney Kessel tune given a jazzy bossa nova treatment. "Que Te Parece, Cholita?" is one of several songs recorded with Cuban musicians in the traditional folk style of that country. Bringing things full circle, the two sparse tunes that close out the album have a Delta blues flavor, though Musselwhite is accompanied by Cuban musicians here as well. CONTINENTAL DRIFTER is proof that there are still some new places to take the blues.
CD Universe.
**
Continental Drifter is comprised of music which, according to Charlie, "reflects who I am today as a musician and a human being." The tracks on the album are divided into three sections. The first section, "The Band Session" features Charlie and his touring band, whom he says, "can play whatever I have a mind to play." Session two, "The Solo Session," incorporated the Delta sounds Charlie grew up with. For the third section, "The Cuban Sessions," Charlie recorded four tracks with his Cuban friend and colleague, Eliades Ochoa and his group Cuarteto Patria. Many of the album's tracks are entwined with Cuban and Brazilian sounds that have been a major influence on Charlie's music over the years. "My experience with the Cuban and Brazilian musicians whom I have met and played with is that we are all excited by the possibilities of blending the musical cultures, sometimes just for the joy of playing together, sometimes in the hope of fostering understanding and tolerance between our cultures."
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Eliades Ochoa, Humberto Ochoa- (Vocals, Guitar);
William Calderon- (Vocals, Bass);
Eglis Ochoa Hidalgo- (Vocals, Maracas);
Roberto Torres- (Vocals, Percussion).
Charlie Musselwhite- (Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica);
John Wedemeyer- (Guitar);
Joe Heinemann- (Piano, Organ);
Felton Crews- (Bass);
David Rockeach- (Drums, Percussion).
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01. No (4:49)
02. Can't Stay Away from You (3:58)
03. Voodoo Garden (8:02)
04. Little Star (5:21)
05. Que Te Parece, Cholita? (What Do You Think, Cholita?) (Featuring Eliad (6:41)
06. Chan Chan (Charlie's Blues) (Featuring Eliades Ochoa and Cuarteto Patri (5:46)
07. Sabroso (Delicious) (Featuring Eliades Ochoa and Cuarteto Patria) (6:50)
08. Siboney (4:03)
09. My Time Someday (4:22)
10. Blues up the River (2:34)
11. Please Remember Me (4:21)
**
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