Review 'Alligator Records 50 Years of Genuine Houserockin' Music'

Alligator Records

By Chris Wheatley

An absolute treat for blues fans, as well as an important historical document, Alligator Records: 50 Years of Genuine Houserockin’ Music marks the fiftieth anniversary of one the great blues and roots record labels, set to release June 18, available on 2-LP and 3-CD. It’s a half-century since Alligator Records founder, Bruce Iglauer, spent his savings on recording his favorite Chicago blues band, Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers, and thereby founded what was to become one of the most celebrated labels in blues history.

Since then, Alligator Records’ artists have claimed more trophies than can be recounted here, including over 150 Blues Music Awards, 48 Grammy nominations, and three Grammy Awards. The roster of artists featured on this release is testament to Iglauer’s vision and lasting enthusiasm, from Hound Dog Taylor, Koko Taylor, Albert Collins and Johnny Winter to contemporary acts such as Shemekia Copeland, Chris Cain, Toronzo Cannon, Selwyn Birchwood and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. All tracks have been remastered by Iglauer and Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room in Chicago and the collection is accompanied by liner notes from Bruce Iglauer, which provide a fascinating insight into his career.

The music itself is roughly presented in chronological order beginning, appropriately enough, with the band that started it all: Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers. The delightfully-titled “Give Me Back My Wig,” a fuzzed-up blues rocker, sounds as fresh and vibrant as it must have to the young Iglauer all those years ago. This is a jumping, jiving slice of Chicago-blues with an intoxicating, raw edge and a cutting guitar solo. As a jumping-off point, you couldn’t ask for a more energizing number.

Elsewhere on this side, you’ll find Son Seals’ “Telephone Angel,” a wailing, midnight song, which snakes and slithers around mercurial guitar runs and exclamatory horns. Professor Longhair’s “It’s My Fault Darling” bounces with irrepressible energy. It’s a rollicking cut built upon barrel-house piano and swinging sax. In fact, everywhere you turn on this set leads to a new delight, whether it’s heard for the first time or a well-known hit. Other highlights on ‘side one’ include tracks from the under-appreciated Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, William Clarke and Roy Buchanan.

Moving a little further ahead in time, we get Katie Webster’s “I’m Still Leaving You.” Webster is a fine blues singer, brassy and strong with virtuosic boogie-woogie piano chops. Every syllable she sings is packed full of emotion on this mid-tempo, finger-snapping cut. Shuffle forward to the great Mavis Staples with “There’s A Devil On The Loose.” This is rich, sophisticated music layered with subtle percussion and sparkling guitar. Staples’ singing needs no praise from me – she has long since cemented her place in the blues canon. Eric Lindell’s “Josephine” is an absolute gem, and once again testament to the breadth of Iglauer’s vision. This is a joyous, slick number, highly-polished and smooth, with bursts of horns through a catchy chorus.

On ‘side three’ you can take your pick from a host of contemporary talent. There’s a live cut from JJ Grey & Mofro, whose “A Woman” bustles and sways – the ultimate torch song in the best possible sense of the word. The Cash Box Kings give us “Ain’t No Fun,” a blues-rockabilly number which shuffles and slides into your soul. There are also some enduring talents mixed in here. Marcia Ball contributes the exquisite, Latin-flavoured “Party Town,” which twists and turns across the dance floor. Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite make an appearance with the crawling, highly-affecting “Midnight Hour Blues.”

Alligator Records 50 Years of Genuine Houserockin’ Music is a superb collection, encompassing a heartfelt celebration of modern blues, which ought not to be missed.

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