 | CARL WEATHERSBY “Looking Out My Window” Evidence Music, 1997 (ECD 26089-2) |
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Mighty Joe Young defined 1970s blues while Robert Cray revitalized the genre in the 1980s. The man with the definitive sound for the 1990s was undoubtedly, Carl Weathersby. After a 14 year stint as the lead guitarist with Chicago's Sons of Blues (SoBs), Weathersby left in search of a chance to perform less traditional blues. Although this disc was Carl’s second solo release, in many ways it was really his first. Unlike his debut CD in 1996, by the time this one hit the stands in 1997, Weathersby had officially left the SoBs and was enjoying a musical rebirth. The same hard-edged musicians from the debut back Carl here including Levy Wash (rhythm guitar), Lee Zeno (bass) and Herman Ernest (drums). Herman does more than keeps the beat due to his interesting snare/bass/high hat combinations. This visionary release lasts for 60 fierce minutes and showcases Carl’s triple attack of torrid, rapid-fire guitarist; warm and assured vocalist; and versatile songwriter via 12 songs. There is just something about the way Carl Weathersby plays guitar that rips into your soul and forces you to experience the blues. His vocals are firm and like his guitar playing, comes with urban back-alley aggression. For proof, just listen to his intense versions of “Feel So Bad” and “The Whole Story” where his Delta heritage drips off every note. On both, David Torkanowsky’s funky, pumped organ fills tame the shrill notes that Carl fires from his radical guitar. The title track is heavily influenced by the Hendrix classic “Machine Gun”. Musically and lyrically there are close ties between the two songs. The battlefield now takes place in the concrete jungle where America’s youth are armed and killing each other. On the song, Carl summons pain to the fretboard and guns you down with his six string. Then he exercises his pedals and pushes them to the limit on “Do You Call That A Buddy”. It is a pop-flavored tune that you can dance to thanks to David’s electric piano. Here, the sins of Weathersby’s one-time friend are put into proportion with lyrics such as: ‘now if I had a thousand donuts, I wouldn’t give that clown a donut hole’. “Sweet Music” is as relaxed as a summer breeze. The lyrics here: ‘glad I found music …’, reveal the essence of Carl Weathersby. On “Love Shock”, he purposely emulates Albert King via a series of devoted high voltage contortions and convulsions. “Standing At The Crossroads” is an in-your-face rockin’ boogie where Carl slides along the fretboard while David surfs the keyboard. In the releases that would follow, Carl would add horns and soften his sound by playing more in a soul vein. You catch a glimpse of this on “Feels Like Rain” but for the most part this disc is as raw as Carl is when he performs live. Yes, it is contemporary blues but it is not on the verge of rock and roll. Carl stays close to his roots maintaining the same rebelliousness and toughness that were initially exhibited when the blues were first electrified. Overall, it is assertive and aggressive music that is sweet. In the liner notes Carl states: ‘I meant for everything here to leap off the album’ and it does. |