Absolute Sound was unambiguous: “This is as close to live as I’ve heard a recorded trio get...I dare you not to fall in love with this uniquely American music and this firecracker performance.” The trio’s out-of-print debut became a treasure among both hard-core blues fans and audiophile connoisseurs. Early Morning Blues re-issues this collectors’ jewel with the Trio’s final and arguably best album. The rich vocal detail, intense dynamics, and three-dimensional overtones add extra excitement and authenticity to this tasty collection of Chicago, Delta, and Texas acoustic blues. “One of the best acoustic blues albums of the year...” raves Blues Revue.
Disc One: Preachin' The Blues
1. Preachin' The Blues E. House
2. Stomp Down Rider (W. McTell) -Listen to Full Song
3. Gallows Pole (Traditional) -Listen to Sample
4. Blue Goose Blues (J. Thomas)
5. Early Morning Blues (A. Blake) -Listen to Sample
6. Cincinnati Rag (W. McTell)
7. Payday (J. Hurt)
8. Walkin' Blues (E. House)
9. Georgia Rag (W. McTell)
10. Freight Train Boogie (B. Andrews)
11. Statesboro Blues (W. McTell)
12. She Don't Do Me Wrong (B. Andrews)
Disc Two: Harp, Steel & Guts
1. Salty Dog Blues (C.Jackson)
2. Easy Rider (B. Andrews) -Listen to Full Song
3. The Last Fair Deal Goin’ Down (R. Johnson) -Listen to Sample
4. Death (Don’t) Have No Mercy (G. Davis)
5. Ride Till I Die (J. Hooker)
6. Make Me Down A Pallet (Traditional)
7. Black Betty (H Ledbetter) -Listen to Sample
8. Stackolee (Traditional)
9. Kokomo Blues (K. Arnold)
10. Silver City Bound (H. Ledbetter)
11. Long Tall Momma (W. Bronzy)
12. CC Rider (Traditional)
13. Diddie Wah Diddie (A. Blake)
This album sounds too good. The full spectrum of pain and catharsis found in the blues should be accompanied by the hiss of a dirty record, the roar of the subway, crickets on the back porch or anything. What this reissue has is a pristine sound that melds Ben Andrews' gravelly vocals and cutting guitar together with Jeff Sarli's driving slap bass and Mark Wenner's face-puckering harmonica into a blues symphony. The combination of '92's Preachin' the Blues and '00's Harp, Steel and Guts was released as a memorial to the late Sarli. The sound is reverential to classic blues styles, with top-class musicianship and some modern kicks. But no crickets to be found. -DC Gott
