Mojo Buford
Champagne & Reefer
(Fedora FCD5015)
Recorded live over two nights at Phoenix' Rhythm Room in September
1998, Champagne & Reefer, is a fine example of living blues history.
Twelve tracks of no frills, lo-fi, low down Chicago Blues performed by a
musician who's been doing his thing on the harmonica since the early
fifties. Sounding very spontaneous, Champagne & Reefer gives the
listener blues without flashy production or other techniques to bolster
the music. Just the music itself. George "Mojo" Buford is the
only harp player to have played or recorded with Muddy Waters in four
different decades. He is said to have been Muddy Water's favorite harp
player. Having played harmonica since his childhood in Mississippi, Mojo
uses simple, but to the point phrasing to get his blues message across.
His singing is deep voiced and has the authority that you'd expect from so
many years singing the blues. Most of the tracks (7) on Champagne &
Reefer are duets with Bob Margolin on guitar. "Steady Rollin'"
Bob Margolin is another alumnus of Muddy Waters' bands and is a perfect
accompanist for Buford. On the remaining five tracks, Mojo and Margolin
are joined by Johnny Rapp on guitar, Paul Thomas on upright bass, and
Chico Chism on drums. Chico Chism spent time in Howlin' Wolf's band. With
the whole ensemble, the harp is still the thing, although there is some
excellent guitar throughout the whole CD. Five tracks on this CD are Muddy
Waters compositions, one is by Mojo Buford, and my favorite, "Don't
Go No Further" is by Willie Dixon. All of the songs are blues
classics and to describe each song would be redundant, they're all blues
and they're all good. Champagne and Reefer has something for every blues
listener. There are sounds here that you don't find anymore with today's
high-end production. If you listen underneath the harmonica there is fine
guitar lines being played. And to hear George "Mojo" Buford talk
through his harp with simple straightforward lines is truly educational.
If what you need is a shot of the blues-straight up, no chaser, then
Champagne & Reefer is a CD you should put in your collection.
- Pete Barbeck -
Southwest Blues CD Review - January 2000
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