Willie Kent
Make Room for the Blues
(Delmark DE-723)
This Delmark release is a great listen from
one of the most consistent, rock solid bassist/bandleaders in the free world, let alone
Chicago. His sound is the text book definition of traditional Chicago Blues and when
describing his work, words like "pure" and "flawless" come to mind.
Kent has been making music for over forty years. He got his start playing bass when one of
his band members showed up drunk to a gig and he's been playing ever since. Although born
in Iverness, Mississippi (somewhere near Shelby), Kent headed to Chicago in 1952. He
learned to play guitar from Little Willie Hudson, with whom he started a band. Through the
years, he has bounced the bose with a virtual Who's Who of Blues, including the likes of
Junior Wells, Jimmy Dawkins, Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Hip Linkchain, and
Junior Parker. Most of the time, driving a truck when he wasn't playing a gig, at least
until 1987 when he had a bypass operation and decided to go into music full time. One of
his previous albums, the 1991 release, "Ain't It Nice" was recognized by the
Library of Congress as one of the best recordings representing America's roots. He
received the W.C. Handy Award two years in a row for his bass playing. It's not hard to
see why this man gets some credit with the evident presented in a CD like Make Room for
the Blues. The tracks are flavored with the Delta, by way of Chicago with a few surprises
thrown into the mix. Impressive spotlights from the band abound on this album: Kenny
Barker tickling the ivories on "Do You Love Me," Billy Flynn's excellent slide
guitar work on "I Had a Dream," Willie Davis' elegant finger zinger guitar work
on the ballad "I'm What You Need." This CD is full of great performances from a
very tight band: a tribute to Kent' abilities to pull together the right people for the
right job and get the best they can possibly give. Also worth mentioning are Kent's
vocals, which are outstanding. When he sings a shuffle, he pushes all the right wiggle
buttons. When he sings the low down blues, you feel the hurt. He emotes some powerful
feelings in his voice. If you don't take my word for it, check out "I Know Where I've
Been" and listen to the conflict, the drama, going on in his inflection. Willie Kent
is a tonal storyteller; his voice tells stories his words only begin to uncover. This is a
great piece of work from an artist who knows what he is doing. It's not in your face,
grandstanding, knock you down with frazzle dazzle, stock. This is for the folks who can
tell the difference between hamburger and steak.
- Bill Fountain -
Southwest Blues CD Review - January 1999
Current Reviews -
1999 Reviews - available at our store
