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Big Pete Pearson may not be
a household blues name, but he has been around for 50 years, that’s right
50, playing the blues. His new CD “I’m Here Baby” is living proof that he
has the stuff. Having previously sat in with everyone that is someone, like
T-bone Walker, Big Joe Turner, B.B. King, Jimmy Reed, Bobby Blue Bland, John
Lee Hooker, and even Muddy he has the backbone to stand on his own and sound
great. Check out the talented folks he has invited to play on this newest
cut. W.C. Clark, who happens to be his cousin, Ike Turner, and Kid Ramos on
guitar, Johnny Dyer on harp, and Joey De Francesco on Hammond B-3 organ. I
mean, come on now. Pete has been playing since he snuck off to a beer joint
at 9 years old, in Austin, Texas. His Grandparents thought he was playing
guitar, and singing in a local church. Well, somehow, he managed to live
through that, and has been playing ever since. Being based in Phoenix,
Arizona he won “Blues Performer of The Year” in Phoenix in 2001. What a huge
voice. They call him a “Blues Shouter.” He doesn’t have to shout, he’s got
some power here, and it is a really good CD. I mean just excellent blues.
Guitar, organ, harp, vocals, it is the old stuff we yearn for. A fine
recording as well. My favorite cuts are “I’m Here Baby,” the cut the CD is
named after, “Big Leg Woman”, of course, and the last cut “Texas Blues
Memories,” where he reminisces about the old days. I really like this one.
In fact it is my favorite, and has some fine saxophone on it too. Oh yea,
there’s a fat slide piece called “Possum Up a Tree,” that will feed your
slide need. It’s great! I hope he comes to Knoxville sometime. Or at least
the area so we can go see him. If not, you’ll just have to pick up the CD
for yourself. It is on Blue Witch Records. Check out . It should be released
now, so check out the music stores as well. You will play it more than once.
Thanks Big Pete. You helped me out.
Your friend.........Blue
Barry
|
Crossroads Magazine (France) (January 2007) |
Tel un ogre, cet
immense bonhomme fait mugir son chant puissant et doux à la fois, depuis
un sacré paquet d’années, peut-être même depuis toujours ! Big Pete
Pearson, basé à Phoenix (Arizona), originaire d’Austin (TX), possède
aussi une stature de géant, une certaine force rassurante, et des
certitudes, de celles de ceux qui savent ce qu’est le blues, parce
qu’ils le vivent depuis si longtemps. Ce monsieur, qui s’est nourri de
gospel dans sa jeunesse, a travaillé, entre autres, avec T-Bone Walker,
BB King, Muddy Waters et John Lee Hooker, et vient de fêter ses 70 ans
avec un nouvel album, ‘I’m Here Baby’, d’une facture vraiment très
impressionnante. Cet opus est un joyau au cœur duquel la musique bat au
rythme des différentes sessions enregistrées depuis une bonne année, un
peu partout certainement. C’est décoré du plus pur Chicago Blues, enrobé
de la voix d’un véritable Blues Shouter, décliné sur une douzaine de
pièces du répertoire de Pearson, aussi compositeur, et accompagné avec
une maestria d’excellents musiciens regroupés au sein des Rhythm Room
All Stars. Cette formation assure habituellement les heures chaudes d’un
club de Phoenix nommé justement ‘Rhythm Room’ (avec le précieux
guitariste Chris James), et dont le gérant est l’harmoniciste Bob
Corritore, un maître du genre qui dirige aussi le groupe dans les
tournées de Big Pete. Last but not least, le chanteur, déjà superbement
servi, s’entoure aussi de vénérés, fabuleux et parfois légendaires amis,
et non des moindres. Ike Turner (guitare folle sur un rugissant ‘Big Leg
Woman’) ; WC Clark, en grand échange de souvenirs avec son cousin Pete
Pearson (‘Texas Blues Memories’), au chant et à la guitare ; le chicano
californien musclé et tatoué Kid Ramos, divin et sobre guitariste (la
pépite ‘Natural Ball’) ; Johnny Dyer à l’harmonica, le grand et
distingué Leon Blue au piano ; un autre pianiste, habitué des sessions,
Tom Mahon ; Richard Innes, savoureux batteur, et une poignée d’autres,
tous aussi bons les uns comme les autres, une véritable écurie de pur
sangs. Big Pete Pearson survole l’ensemble avec une jouissance manifeste,
dominant de sa superbe voix, les pièces intenses d’un album parfaitement
réussi. Inouï ! Ce disque est inouï, la claque, une pépite d’émotion
musicale, une très grande réussite technique, une belle oeuvre ancrée
dans la tradition restée vivante du blues. Magique ! On avait déjà
dégusté les Rhythm Room All Stars et Big Pete Pearson lors de leur venue
l’an passé au Bay Car Blues festival près de Dunkerque, et l’on annonce
une tournée européenne qui passera par la France l’été prochain. Et c’et
tant pieux car ce type est à (re)découvrir d’urgence.
www.bigpetepearson.net
-Francis Rateau
Click
here for a full image
of this article
|
Southland Blues (February 2007) |
Blues shouters have
been around for a long time. They've brought the message of the church
to popular music and made a significant impact on the development of
rock & roll. With emotions flying, they're in a position to make an
argument succeed or to place a tall tale in the history books. Big Pete
Pearson shouts the blues with a comfortable swing, but he also takes a
slower interpretation to heart. Backed by the soulful harmonica of Bob
Corritore, Pearson sings 'em convincingly. His big voice and headstrong
enthusiasm make original songs seem like kissin' cousins. He's right at
home with the blues.
Guest artists give Pearson
a colorful palette from which to sing. He uses nearly two dozen sidemen in
different combinations. Johnny Dyer lends his blues harp to "Worried About
My Baby' with a comfortable boogie swing that sends chills up and down your
spine. Veteran guitarist Ike Turner joins organist Joey DeFrancesco, pianist
Leon Blue and drummer Richard Innes to back Pearson's interpretations of
"The Highway Is Like A Woman" and "Big Leg Woman." Guitarist Kid Ramos lends
a hand on "Natural Ball" and "Possum Up A Tree," giving both an authentic
blues background for the singer's genuine approach to the blues. Pearson
sings two duet tracks with his cousin W.C. Clark, delivering blues memories
from their Texas neighborhood. Throughout the album, Corritore's soulful
harp and Pearson's big voice bring genuine blues warmth to the scene, all
the from Phoenix, where Pearson is known as Arizona's King of the Blues.
-Jim Santella
|
Spin Factor, Nashville City Paper
(02/08/2007) |
|
Born in Jamaica in 1936,
Big Pete Pearson relocated to Texas with his parents while still a youth. As
L.P. Pearson, he began his musical career in Austin's East Side jukes
playing bass with such luminaries as Blues Boy Hubbard and T.D. Bell and
helping his younger cousin W.C. Clark get started in the music business.
After playing a few gigs in Phoenix in the late '50s, Pearson moved there a
few years later, eventually becoming the patriarch of that city's blues
scene.
Perhaps due to his location
off the beaten blues path, this is but the second album that Pearson has
recorded in his long career, following 2001's One More Drink, also on
Blue Witch. This one eschews the horn-driven approach of its predecessor,
instead providing the singer with the basic backing unit of the Rhythm Room
All-Stars, with producer Bob Corritore on harmonica, Chris James and Johnny
Rapp on guitars, Patrick Rynn on the bass, and Brian Fahey on the drums,
plus a host of guests. One of the guitarists launches the opening Too
Many Drivers with a Robert Lockwood riff before the song settles into a
broomdusting groove with Pearson's raw vocal summoning the sound of Elmore
James. Pearson also proves his command of the genre's vernacular with more
of a West Coast bend on Tin Pan Alley, Natural Ball, and
The Highway Is Like A Woman, which like Pearson's own Big Leg Woman,
boasts appearances by Ike Turner on guitar and Joey DeFrancesco on organ.
Johnny Dyer sits in to spell Corritore on harp for an uptempo Worried
About My Baby, while the title track and Possum Up A Tree
evoke the slow grinds of 1950's Chicago and My Baby Is A Jockey again
brings Elmore James to mind.
Cousin Clark joins in to
supply the guitar work and trade vocals with Pearson on the shuffling Pete &
W.C.'s Blues Medley and the closing Texas Blues Memories, where the two men
swap reminiscences of yesteryear as Larry Reed's sax and J.D. Duncan's organ
provide the music commentary - a fitting end to a highly rewarding set from
one of the music's unsung masters.
-By Jim DeKoster
|
|
Docteur Blues
(France) |
|
Big Pete Pearson and the Rhythm Room All Stars
- I'm Here Baby
Big Pete Pearson est un
chanteur au gabarit imposant et au CV impressionnant. C'est un
authentique bluesman qui dégage une sorte de force tranquille, c'est
avant tout une voix exceptionnelle formée à l'école du gospel, une voix
de velour, à la fois caressante et puissante, parfaitement maîtrisée. Un véritable diamant encore trop méconnu en Europe qui a
débuté sa carrière
à Austin, Texas où il a accompagné (à la basse) les plus grands de
T-Bone Walker à Clarence Gatemouth Brown avant de s’installer à Phoenix,
Arizona dans les années 60 où il est actuellement considéré comme le
«Arizona King of the Blues».
Il fit sa première apparition en Europe en juillet 2005 à
l'âge de 69 ans, comme quoi, il n'est jamais trop tard pour bien faire.
Il joua alors au festival mémorial Marco Fiume blues passion où il fut
particulièrement remarqué, accompagné par le Rhythm Room All Stars. Ce
groupe est en fait le house band du fameux club de Phoenix Arizona le
rhythm room dont le propriétaire n'est autre que Bob Corritore.
Ce rhythm room all stars comprend outre Big Pete Pearson au
chant, Bob Corritore à l'harmonica, Chris James et Johnny Rapp aux
guitares, Matt Bishop au piano, Patrick Rynn ou Chris Thomas à la basse
et Brian Fahey (ex William Clarke et Paladins) à la batterie.
Le public Français a découvert ce groupe au printemps 2006 à
l'occasion du Bay Car dont il fut l'une des têtes d'affiche et la
principale révélation. La voix, le charisme et l'enthousiasme de Big
Pete Pearson ont fait l'unanimité parmi le public nordiste qui l'a
bruyamment ovationné.
Ce CD a été enregistré en plusieurs sessions (la jaquette ne
donne pas le détail mais on peut supposer qu'il y en a au moins quatre)
dont une à l'eté 2005, au retour de Rossano (Italie). On y retrouve
quelques «classiques» du répertoire de Big Pete comme le titre à la fois
salace et plein d'humour «My Baby is a Jockey».
Pour ce CD au style résolument Chicago blues, Big Pete
Pearson a convié quelques amis, Ike Turner (à la guitare sur deux titres),
Kid Ramos, Leon Blue, Richard Innes, Johnny Dyer, Chico Chism. Et puis,
cerise sur le gâteau : ce CD comprend deux duos avec WC Clarke qui n'est
autre que le cousin de Big Pete. Tous ces invités apportent leur pierre
à l'édifice sans se montrer envahissant. L'ensemble reste vraiment
homogène et ce CD est une belle réussite. La production signée Bob
Corritore est parfaite.
Je me demande encore comment à l'époque d'internet et de la
sur-information, un tel bluesman a pu resté aussi longtemps méconnu en
Europe ? C'est un véritable mystère.
Amateurs de Chicago blues traditionnel et de voix
exceptionnelles, ce CD est pour vous.
Quatre titres sont en écoute sur les sites suivants :
http://www.myspace.com/bigpetepearson et
http://www.myspace.com/rhythmroomallstars.
Autres sites à visiter:
http://www.bigpetepearson.net/ (site officiel de Big Pete Pearson,
on y trouve des extraits audio du précédent cd de Big Pete «One More
Drink»)
http://www.bobcorritore.com/ (site officiel de Bob Corritore)
http://www.rhythmroom.com/ (site du Rhythm Room, le club)
-Jocelyn Richez
|
The Scene (Houston Area Monthly)
(February 2007) |
|
I'M HERE BABY: Big Pete Pearson, Blue Witch Records, February
13, 2007. Total time: 53' 09". This national release has 12 tracks of
traditional blues, all winners. Six are Pearson's well-crafted, old
school originals. An array of special guests include Pearson's cousin,
Alligator recording artist W.C. Clark (vocals/guitar) of Austin, and
blues luminaries Ike Turner (guitar,) Kid Ramos (guitar,) Joey
DeFrancesco (Hammond B3 organ) and Johnny Dyer (harmonica.) Pearson is a
blues belter extraordinaire. He uses his huge, gravel and honey voice
like a finely tuned instrument, wringing out the raw emotion in every
song. This recording is a juke joint performance at its best. You can
almost smell the perfumed sweat, smoke and beer. Pearson grabbed my
attention on the opening cut with his gutsy delivery of "Too Many
Drivers," a double entendre classic. Next, he nailed a bleed-it-out
rendition of "Tin Pan Alley," done in the style of the great 50s/60s
blues recordings. The title track, a Pearson original, is a first-rate,
timeless slow blues tune. "Big Legged Woman" is a medium-tempo Pearson
original with a dandy, get-down rhythm. On that tune, Ike Turner
contributes a guitar solo worthy of his super-star days. Both the song
and Pearson's delivery of his original, "My Baby Is A Jockey," would
have made Big Joe Turner grin. If you aren't already a blues lover, this
album will convert you. Highest recommendation.
-Jim Shortt
|
Blues In Britain
(February 2007) |
Phoenix, Arizona based
blues shouter, Big Pete Pearson, has been thrilling blues audiences in
his hometown, and Europe, for over 50 years – his powerhouse vocals
(which Living Blues described as “hefty as Big Joe Turner’s”) and
dynamic personality and stage presence belying the fact that this is
only his second release – a fact that could almost be described as
criminal negligence.
Despite, or maybe in spite
of his lack of recording opportunities, Pearson literally grabs this
opportunity by the throat to turn out a wonderful set of tough urban blues
that covers a multitude of blues bases from Texas to Chicago laced with R&B
and soul.
Pearson’s status, amongst
his fellow artists, can be gauged by the all-star cast that accompanies him
on this set. The basic band is The Rhythm Room All-Stars featuring Bob
Corritore (harp), Chris James and Johnny Rapp (guitars) with Patrick Rynn
and Brian Fahey in the engine room. These are supported by a plethora of
artists including Ike Turner, W.C. Clark, Kid Ramos, Johnny Dyer, Chico
Chism, Richard Innes, Joey DeFrancesco, Tom Mahon – the list just goes on.
With a line-up like that
you would expect nothing less than the best – and that’s exactly what you
get.
The opening track, “Too
Many Drivers”, transports you back to 50’s Chicago – the raw power of
Pearson’s whiskey soaked vocals allied to Corritore’s wailing harp and Matt
Bishop’s stomping piano, conjuring up the vision of a night at Pepper’s.
“Tin Pan Alley”, with it’s shimmering Little Walter styled harp, beautifully
understated guitar and deep rolling piano (Clay Swafford) finds Pearson
“oh-so-blue” vocals mining a deep blues vein – whilst his own “The Way I See
It” is a funky shuffle permeated with shades of Lowell Fulson.
Ike Turner adds wild and
quirky guitar to “Big Leg Woman”, the addition of Leon Blue’s rolling piano
and Corritore’s moody harp to the brooding intensity of Pearson’s vocals
giving the number a strong Wolf feel. Johnny Dyer’s tough harp and
Pearson’s booming vocals give “Worried About My Baby” a deep Muddy feel –
whilst the muscular anguish of Pearson’s vocals underpinned by Kid Ramos’s
paint-stripping slide, Chism’s trashcan drumming and Corritore’s Sammy Myers
influenced harp lend “Possum Up A Tree” a wild Elmore James feel.
The impassioned, Buddy Guy
inspired “My Baby Is A Jockey” and the brooding title track with it’s Big
Walter styled harp and Spannesque piano are further highlights of a set that
can only come highly recommended.
Rating 10
-By Mick Rainsford
|
Phoenix New Times
(02/22/07) |
Born in 1936 in
Jamaica, raised in Texas, and based in Phoenix, Big Pete Pearson is
proof that the blues (as a flourishing, vibrant form) is not dying of
old age and House of Blues-bred respectability. Likely among the last of
the breed of Chicago-style bluesmen, Pearson has a burly, somewhat
raspy, heartfelt bellow of a voice in the vein of late icons Muddy
Waters and Junior Wells. His songs are usual 12-bar rants about
big-legged women, romantic discord, partying, fealty, and man's eternal
quest for His Baby (as in, "gotta fahnd mah BABY") - but another thing
Big Pete corroborates: 'tain't what you say, but the way you say it.
Pearson breathes fire (and a bit of drollness) into routine subject
matter, while his accompanists stoke the flames with urgent, terse
string-bending by Johnny Rapp and Chris James (plus guests Kid Ramos and
Ike Turner), cracking drums, and the Promethean harmonica of Bob
Corritore. The production (also by Corritore) is spare and
straightforward, foregoing the slickness that neuters so much
contemporary electric blues. (Jazz organist Joey De Francesco makes a
couple o' appearances, adding touches of uptown suavity, by the way.)
Anytime you play I'm Here Baby, it'll feel like after midnight on a
Saturday.
-Mark Keresman
|
Arizona Republic
(02/11/2007) |
|
Phoenix blues favorite
"Big" Pete Pearson has sung for more than five decades in shows around the
globe, but until now he has never recorded a widely released CD.
I'm Here Baby,
produced by local blues impresario Bob Corritore, hits stores Tuesday, and
Pearson couldn't be happier.
"It finally came home, a
long time coming," Pearson, 70, said with a chuckle.
The album pairs Pearson
with some of his closest musical pals, including guitarists Ike Turner and
Kid Ramos, singer W.C. Clark and three Valley blues standouts, organist Joey
DeFrancesco, harmonica player Corritore and late drummer Chico Chism.
"I have known these guys
for years," Pearson said. "It was just like having a homecoming, and it was
great inspiration."
- By Larry Rodgers
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Radio Baker Street
(France) (January 2007) |
|
|
Il Etait Temps ! ! !
Un beau matin d’octobre
1936, le soleil Jamaïcain allait nous offrir Une Voix taillée pour chanter
le Blues.
Quelques années plus tard,
cette Voix atterrit à Phœnix Arizona après une courte halte à Austin Texas.
La Voix sera élevée par un
grand-père ministre du culte et une grand mère qui lui apprendra à utiliser
à bon escient ce don du ciel.
La Voix porte un nom “ PETE
PEARSON”.
70 ans plus tard, Pearson
s’offre son premier voyage en Europe, et c’est en France que nous avons la
chance de le découvrir en exclusivité, accompagné par le Rhythm Room All
Stars de Bob Corritore au BAY CAR BLUES FEST de Grande Synthe (59). [En
passant merci JR et BayCar pour cette énorme découverte !] Voilà pour la
petite histoire.
Passons au menu de cette
magistrale galette digne des Rois et habillée de 10 titres : I’M HERE BABY.
Au premier coup d’œil on
sait à quoi s’attendre : La jaquette nous propose une flopée d’invités, à se
demander comment ont ils bien pu tous répondre présent ! ! !
A tout seigneur tout
honneur, le Cousin de Pearson, WC CLARK, auteur de plusieurs fameux albums
Soul & Rhythm & Blues vient même interpréter deux duos qui devraient ravir
les amateurs de double voix.
La suite des invités relève
du festival de Cannes un jour de remise de palme, tant le tapis rouge brille
de ses dorures ! Ike Turner, Kid Ramos, Johhny Dyer, Leon Blue, Matt Bishop,
Richard Innes … sans oublier le Rhythm Room All Stars de Bob Corritore,
Chris James, Patrick Rynn, Johnny Rapp et Joey DeFranceso.
Comme on dit chez moi : La
Vâââche ! ! ! ! Difficile de passer à coté du résultat avec un tel déballage
de talents ! Album composé de pur Chicago Blues puissant énergique et sans
répit.
Un must à commander auprès
de Bob Corritore ou sur le site web de La Voix ! Quand vous l’aurez, vous ne
pourrez plus vous en passer …
L’album devrait sortir très
prochainement en France, le label n’est pour l’instant pas connu.
To Be Continued ? Ho Yeah !
-Delta Man
|
Soul Bag
(France)
(vol. 186, March 2007) |
««««
Dans notre numéro 184,
Jean-Luc Vabres signait la chronique de ce CD autoproduit, auquel il ne
manquait plus qu’un diffuseur pour le mettre à portée du grand public, et
notamment de notre côté de l’Atlantique. Réjouissons-nous, car c’est
désormais chose faite grâce au label Blue Witch, avec en outre deux titres
supplémentaires, Tin pan alley et Natural ball. J’adhère
totalement au propos de Jean-Luc et, comme lui, je vous recommande
chaudement le CD de ce chanteur au timbre écorché à la limite de la rupture,
une “espèce” en voie de disparition… Pour plus de détails, je vous invite
d’ailleurs à relire le texte de mon collègue.
Tout juste ajouterais-je
que le propriétaire de Blue Witch, Bob Corritore, (également harmoniciste
convaincant, présent ici sur sept plages), n’a décidément pas son pareil
pour cimenter des formations qui réunissent des musiciens pourtant venus
d’horizons différents. Je me souviens ainsi du superbe opus de Chief
Schabuttie Gilliame, Snakes Crawls At Night”, (SB 176)… Ici, le leader
s’entoure lui aussi de belles pointures: W.C. Clark (cousin de Big Pete),
Ike Turner, Kid Ramos, Chris James et Johnny Rapp aux guitares, Johnny Dyer
à l’harmonica, Leon Blue au piano, enfin le regretté Chico Chism à la
batterie, qui nous a quitté le 28 janvier dernier. Malgré cela, l’unité est
onmiprésente, et l’ensemble regorge de feeling. En 2001, Big Pete, né en
1936 en Jamaïque, mais installé à Phoenix (Arizona), avait enregistré le
tout premier CD du catalogue Blue Witch (“One More Drink”), mais sa
diffusion était restée locale. Quant au présent disque, il n’envisageait
même pas de le sortir… Aubaine à saisir.
-Daniel Léon
|
Baltimore Blues Rag
(March 2007) |
Exactly 33 seconds into
I'm Here Baby, the epiphany strikes: Big Pete Pearson may not
have been crowned 'Big Pete' based strictly on his physical girth.
Because it is precisely at that moment during "Too Many Drivers", when
the Phoenix-based blues shouter first introduces himself by way of a
mighty blast. With a sledgehammer's subtlety, that voice tears into the
bedrock Chicago groove which harpist/producer Bob Corritore and his
Rhythm Room All-Stars have been laying down all the while. Not even the
subsequent smoky, blue pulse of "Tin Pan Alley" - oozing calm, cool,
collectedness from every guitar string, harp reed, and piano key in the
room - can restrain his massive bark from intermittently rising up and
towering above. But devouring blues is what this Texas native has been
doing for fifty-odd years, dating back to beer joints around his
hometown of St. John's and the nearby Austin. And on this follow-up to
his better-late-than-never debut in 2001, devouring blues still remains
the plan. Corritore, his barbed-to-butter harmonica, and the rest of the
blues boys see to that. A deliberate absence of horns help steer away
from the swing or jump mode favored by likewise hollering Big Joe Turner
to whom Pearson's been compared. Instead, a direct-from-Halsted feel is
maintained, which means that shuffles aren't taken lightly and slow
burners properly smolder. While the All-Stars always do Pete right, the
project gets spiced up by a 'revolving door policy' that guests like
drummer Chico Chism, harpist Johnny Dyer, and Kid Ramos' snarling slide
guitar take full advantage. That's how W.C. Clark twice sings and
strings beside his elder cousin, as when reminiscing the good ol' days
atop "Texas Blues Memories" vamp. It's how Ike Turner's guitar
discharges whammy-bar boings into "Big Leg Woman" (one of six Pearson
originals). And how Hammond B3 organ wiz get to carpet the
suggestiveness of "The Highway Is Like A Woman" in wall to wall velvet.
Likewise disguising its naughtiness behind a veil of not-so-sly innuendo
is "My Baby Is A Jockey," a throat-squalling shuffle that offers a shot
at hearing what a locomotive might sound like singing the blues.
-Dennis Rozanski
Malgré l’un ou l’autre de
ses passages récents dans nos contrées, Big Pete Pearson est encore peu
connu en Europe. Ce chanteur vétéran jouit pourtant du titre de “Arizona’s
King of the Blues”. Imposant tant par la puissance de son chant que par sa
stature, Big Pete Pearson n’est autre que le cousin aîné de W.C. Clark dont
il peut en plus se targuer d’être l’une des influences majeures. Bien que né
en Jamaïque, c’est au Texas qu’il grandit avant de s’installer à Phoenix fin
des années 50. Il a, depuis, joué avec un grand nombre de musiciens et est
devenu, par la force des choses, la coqueluche de la scène de Phoenix et en
particulier du club le Rhythm Room, club de l’harmoniciste-producteur Bob
Corritore. Le CD dont il est ici question a été enregistré avec des
formations diverses et variées, reprenant une flopée d’invités de marque:
Ike Turner, Johnny Dyer, Chico Chism, Leon Blue, W.C. Clark, sans oublier
Kid Ramos, Richard Innes et la formation maison des Rhythm Room All-Stars
avec Chris James et Johnny Rapp aux guitares, Bob Corritore à l’harmonica,
Patrick Rynn à la basse, Matt Bishop au piano et Brian Fahey aux drums...
Avec un tel personnel il n’est pas suprenant que le résultat soit
convaincant. Les quelques standards (Too Many Drivers, Possum Up A Tree,
Big Leg Woman,...) sont dans une veine Chicago blues standard, la plage
titulaire plus down home, alors que c’est le Texas qui est présent sur
Pete and W.C.’s Blues Medley où il dialogue avec son cousin W.C. Clark,
le godfather of Austin blues. “I’m Here Baby” est le deuxième album
réalisé en collaboration avec Bob Corritore; c’est une réussite, ils peuvent
continuer…
-Jean-Pierre Urbain
|
www.jazz-blues.com (May-June 2007) |
How this guy stayed
under the radar for as he long as he has is a real head-scratcher. And
also a bit of a shame. Perhaps it’s because his stomping ground,
Phoenix, is not a universally recognized blues haven but, whatever the
reason, if this disc gets the attention it deserves, Big Pete will be
obscure no more. A powerhouse singer with blues instincts increasingly
rare these days, the 70-something Pearson shouts and scorches with
energy rarely found in artists half his age. His well-seasoned pipes
meet here with a solid set that includes some most authentic sounding
originals and a knockout run-through of the Little Milton feature “Tin
Pan Alley” on which Pearson comes off as Milton’s burlier older brother.
Pearson’s excellent band can stand toe-to-toe with most any outfit
around and is enhanced further by tasty guest work from harmonica man
Johnny Dyer, guitar stud Kid Ramos and jazz organ ace Joey DeFrancesco.
Ike Turner even makes the scene. I’m Here Baby is just the sort of
butt-kick traditional blues could use these days and is worth the effort
to run down. Check out
www.bluewitchrecords.com.
-By Duane
Verh
|
|
Blues Festival
E-Guide (August 24, 2007) |
Blues
shouter Big Pete Pearson steps forward with his first national release
after over a half century of honing his craft. Already a popular
festival attraction in Europe and in his home base of Phoenix, he now
moves to an arena of long over-due recognition in his own country. A
spectacular singer and stage performer. Pearson delivers the goods with
this star studded collection of powerful songs.
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Blues-Art Journal
(October 2007) |
Big Pete Pearson is a singer with a deep voice and passionate
feeling. This time he brings us an excellent powerful album where he has
surrounded himself with contemporary blues heavyweights, all them great
experts in the music they play.
Ike Turner, Kid Ramos, Johnny Dyer, Chico Chism, Richard Innes, W.C.
Clark could be mentioned among other well known great artists who stamp
their own style and ‘savoir faire’ along twelve amazing classic blues songs,
to a de luxe band, “The Rhythm Room All Stars” with Bob Corritone, Chris
James, Johnny Rapp, Patrick Rynn and Brian Fahey on it. Could we ask for
more?. GREAT.
-ByVicente Zúmel -
www.lahoradelblues.com
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In A Blue Mood
at Blogspot.com (February
11, 2007)
|
While the back of the CD cover for I’m Here Baby (Blue
Witch) calls Phoenix based Big Pete Pearson a shouter, he comes across
more like James Cotton crossed with a bit of Lonnie Brooks to give a
sense what he sounds like. Produced by Bob Corritore and joined by the
likes of Ike Turner, Johnny Dyer, Joey Francesco, Leon Blue, Kid Ramos
and W.C.Clark. The opening “Too Many Drivers” is a rocking shuffle in
the vein Cotton excelled at, with Matt Bishop providing the rollicking
piano as Chris James and Johnny Rapp on guitar help push the groove,
while producer Corritore wails on harp. It’s a good indication of what’s
to come on this set of straight, no chaser blues. Leon Blue handles the
ivories and Corritore is on chromatic harp on a nice version of “Tin Pan
Alley” with a nice gritty vocal. A good song writer, his original “The
Way I See It” has him reaching down on his vocal, while “Worried About
My Baby” is an easy rocking number with Johnny Dyer contributing a nice
harp break on a recording that would have been at home on a vintage
Chicago blues collection. I’m Here Baby is a slow drag
bump-and-grind number that Pearson just pours his heart into. Ike Turner
and Joey DeFrancesco are present for “Big Legged Woman”, a number that
brings Lonnie Brooks to mind, while a more West Coast flavor is on the
evocative rendition of Percy Mayfield’s “The Highway Is Like a Woman”.
Cousin W.C. Clark joins on a spirited blues medley, trading verses and
songs as well as the closing “Texas Blues Memories”. “Possum Up A Tree”,
with Kid Ramos on guitar, evokes vintage Muddy Waters, while there is a
down-home flavor added to “Natural Ball”. While Texas born, Big Pete’s
music sounds like he was in Chicago, not Phoenix, the past fifty years.
This is an exhilarating blues disc that certainly should make him a
singer in demand on the hopefully reviving blues circuit. This is a good
one. Check out
www.bluewitchrecords.com or
www.bigpetepearson.net for more
information.
-By Ron W.
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