Eddie C. Campbell Spider Eating Preacher Delmark Records

A couple of years ago, Eddie C. Campbell made a welcome comeback to the recording scene with Tear This World Up. The disc was well received and was nominated for Album of the Year at the BMA’s. Thankfully, the break between recordings was much shorter this time around, with Campbell’s sophomore effort for Delmark Records, Spider Eating Preacher, now hitting the airwaves, bringing you more of one of the most unique and original bluesmen you will ever hear.

Simply put, you aren’t going to hear songs like “I Do,” “Call My Mama,” “Boomerang,” “I Don’t Understand This Woman,” and “Downtown” from any other bluesman. Nobody else does it like Campbell, whether it’s the lyrics, or his vocals, which mix howls and moans with his singing. “My Friend (For Jim O’Neal)” is a nice tribute to his longtime friend, who is battling cancer.

Campbell also reprises “Soup Bone,” one of his early 45s, adds a couple of standout instrumentals (“Starlight” and “Brownout”). Mayson, who also manages Campbell, wrote the title track, which is about her blindness.

Campbell also offers three choice covers, Ricky Allen’s “Cut You A-Loose,” the Ohio Players’ “Skintight,” and a gripping version of Jimmie Lee Robinson’s “All My Life.” The closing track, “Playin’ Out These Blues,” is an acoustic number featuring Campbell and Bell together.

Produced by longtime friend and “brother,” Dick Shurman, Spider Eating Preacher ranks with Eddie C. Campbell’s best work. At 72, he shows no signs of diminished skills, or of slowing down. Hopefully, we will have this national treasure making great music for many years to come.

--- Graham Clarke