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Carl Weathersby - Best of Carl Weathersby
Evidence Music, Inc. ECD-26127-2
15 tracks - 68:58


Some may wonder why a musician with only four recordings in his name is worthy of a "Best of.." collection. The answer is simple when you are talking about a talent like Carl Weathersby, who played rhythm guitar in Albert King's band before spending 14 years leading the Sons of Blues band with harmonica man Billy Branch. Weathersby's musical approach was fully formed before he began recording under his own name. His soul-blues style punctuated by clear guitar lines set him apart from other the standard blues performers.

Fourteen of the tracks are taken from the four recordings Weathersby has done for Evidence. The other cut, "Stop Breaking Down Blues", is from the Telarc label's tribute to Robert Johnson. It is the only acoustic track on the disc, with fine guitar work.

The disc opens with the title cut from Weathersby's most recent release, Come To Papa. The track is a funky take on the Willie Mitchell classic song, featuring Ann Peebles trading vocals with the leader. A second tune from this release is "My Baby", a soulful testament to the love of a woman, is one of the highlights of this release.

From his second release, Looking Out My Window, we get a subdued version of John Hiatt's song "Feels Like Rain", with fine keyboard work from one of New Orleans finest, David Torkanowsky. Once again Weathersby's guitar playing ignores speed for feeling, capturing the mood of the song. "Hipshakin Woman" is a funky blues that Carl wrote with plenty of his stellar fretwork.

Another highlight for me was "All Your Affection is Gone". Taken from Weathersby's first disc, this one is driven by the drum-work of Herman Ernest and filled out by Torkanowsky on the Hammond B-3 organ. Carl crafts another fine solo over this solid foundation. From the same batch is another original, the slow blues "Somebody Help Me". The guitar work echoes the pleading laments of a man with no one to turn to.

Evidence has compiled a very solid testimonial to the abilities of one of the blues world's talent-deserving-greater recognition. This collection will whet your appetite for his material, which I'm sure was the intent. Singer, songwriter, guitarist - Carl Weathersby can do it all. And do it with an original approach that creates a very appealing body of work. Do't miss this opportunity to get acquainted !!!

Reviewed by Mark Thompson

(Thanks to Jim Shields at Evidence for sending this copy for review.)