Little Arthur Duncan
Singin' With The Sun
(Delmark 733)
Delmark Records has had a long history of providing a
recorded document of the contemporary Chicago blues scene. Over the years
they have recorded and released classic recordings such as Junior Well's
Hoodoo Man Blues and Jimmy "Fast Fingers" Dawkin's Fast Fingers.
Recent times have found Delmark uncovering forgotten Chicago artists such
as Jimmie Lee Robinson, Jimmy Burns and Aaron Moore and giving them the
opportunity to showcase their talents to the world. Delmark's latest gift
to the blues world is this recording from longtime Chicago artist Little
Arthur Duncan.
Little Arthur Duncan is a Mississippi native who migrated
to Chicago when he was sixteen years old. Influenced by Little Walter, he
took up harmonica and played with his own band, as well as in the band of
John Brim. For many years, he also operated a bar on Chicago's West Side
named Artesias. Due to the hectic pace of running a business and raising a
family, Duncan was only able to play music on a part time basis, which
could help account for his obscurity up until this release. As a singer
and harp player, Little Arthur Duncan's biggest influence seems to be
Jimmy Reed. On the disc, Duncan covers Reed's "Pretty Thing" and
also pays tribute to Reed with a medley of Reed classics titled
"Tribute to Jimmy Reed." Another influence on Duncan appears to
be Howlin' Wolf, with Duncan providing convincing vocals on Wolf's
"No Place To Go." Another tune "Trackmarks" is a
Duncan original that echoes Wolf's "Spoonful" in its groove
while Duncan relates a tale about a lovers addiction.
In addition to the
tried and true Chicago sound, Duncan's music also exhibits a feel for the
Deep South and the swamps of Louisiana. "Itchin' Back" is a tune
in the Slim Harpo mode and "Leaving Mississippi" barrels along
in a pace similar to Lazy Lester's "I'm a Lover Not a Fighter."
Duncan's backing band on the recording includes veteran Chicago artists
Billy Flynn, Rockin' Johnny and Eddie Taylor Jr. The band is solid and
does a fine job in support of Duncan. It is encouraging to see artists
such as Little Arthur Duncan being given the opportunity to release
recordings such as this one after years of obscurity. While Little Arthur
Duncan may be lacking in originality compared to many other bluesmen, I
believe he accomplished what he set out to do on this album - which was to
make a solid, contemporary Chicago blues recording.
- Barry T. Gober -
Southwest Blues CD Review - February 2000
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