Robert Ealey
I Like Music When I Party
Black Top
Long revered by fellow Texas musicians, Robert Ealey,
known as the King of Fort Worth blues, is finally getting the national recognition due
him. It's about time. While small in stature, Ealey possesses a powerful "blues
shouter" voice, combining nicely with a novel and truly original songwriting style.
I Like Music When I Party was released earlier this summer prior
to Black Top's recent distribution problems. Now that the New Orleans label has aligned
itself with Alligator Records, this CD and three other albums will be re-released later
this month.
The first cut begins with a live introduction from Lou Ann Barton, after
which Ealey launches into the ribald dance number "Shake Your Butt." His voice
especially booms out on "See About Me" and "Too Many Ways."
Guitarist and longtime sideman Tone Sommer gets to show his stuff on the
slow blues "Is Your Bathroom Clean."
The best song on Ealey's previous Black Top album was one on which he
partially sang in Spanish. He continues the international flavor here with the
calypso-sounding "Christena." To add just a little more spice, Ealey does a fine
harmonica imitation with his voice on the Elmore James-style "Elloise," trading
riffs with the real harp player Hash Brown.
Robert Ealey is truly a unique bluesman whose time has finally come. I
Like Music When I Party is a worthwhile addition to his much too limited discography.
- Bill Mitchell |