Blues Art Studio

July 2010

One of the many pitfalls of a live recording is the inclination, whether consciously or subconsciously to over extend a certain solo here or add extra choruses there; fortunately Grady and his right hand man guitarist, Eddie Cotton Jr. have together wisely chosen to avoid these tactics and as consequence have created a sharp, concise free flowing collection of diverse numbers ranging from the rap section featured in ”Policeman’s Blues,” a socially relevant number focusing on the less than friendly aspects of the ‘stop and search’ policy that is experienced by many a black citizen. to the warmly glowing upbeat dancing tones of “1-800-Blu-Love” and “You Got Some Explaining To Do,” two numbers co-written by Grady and Dennis Walker.

Originally from Canton, Mississippi; the champion family moved to Miami when Grady was aged fifteen, he moved back to Mississippi to graduate; he then returned to Miami and started his musical career, firstly, as a rap artist but, was soon advised to take up the blues to which he was more suited to. It was whilst he was packing out the blues clubs of Miami in the late nineties that he came to the attention of the Shanachie Record Company and released two albums for the label at the turn of this century. Over the last few years Grady has attended college to continue his musical studies. Now, he is back performing and entertaining us all.  

All the fourteen numbers on this album are played in a rousing atmosphere of a ‘travelling medicine show-cum revivalist meeting,’ that has been given a ‘live injection’ of Southern soul, infused with the blues. The influence of the Malaco sound is certainly evident (some post production work was performed at the Malaco studios)

Grady’s vocals come across like an interesting mixture of ‘Little’ Richard and Jimmy Reed; add to that his naturally evocative harp playing which soothes and stirs the soul, he never forces or overly amplifies his instrument at any point; gelling wonderfully with Eddie’s superb and beautifully understated and sustained guitar work, which has a light sweetly ringing resonance to it which is even more noticeable in his more vigorously insistent solos. Working marvellously away, in the background is the spot on and dependable rhythm section of Calvin Wilson; Hammond b3 and keyboards, Marquis Champion (Grady’s son) bass, Frank White; drums and Xavres Champion; (also, Grady’s son) drums on “Lonesome Bedroom Blues.”

A great live album, Recommended!

-Brian Harman