Review: Popa Chubby ‘Live at G. Bluey’s Juke Joint NYC’

Review: Popa Chubby ‘Live at G. Bluey’s Juke Joint NYC’

By Marc Dorian

Veteran blues guitar slinger Popa Chubby is set to release Live at G. Bluey’s Juke Joint NYC on September 8 via Gulf Coast Records. This live double CD was captured over two nights in October of 2022, at G. Bluey’s Juke Joint in Long Island City, New York. Acclaimed guitarist, singer, songwriter Popa Chubby is backed by his stellar “Beast Band,” which consists of Mike Merritt on bass (Conan O’Brien, Billy Gibbons); Mike Dimeo on keyboards (Johnny Winter, Tommy James); and Stefano Giudici on drums.

But G. Bluey’s Juke Joint isn’t your regular nightclub. It’s a recording studio that serves as the ultimate spot for Popa Chubby and his crew to unleash their blues magic on a small yet energetic crowd. It’s all about that up-close and personal vibe, where every chord, every beat hits you right in the feels.

Popa Chubby (Ted Horowitz) is a long-time, New York City-based blues rocker with a career spanning more than 35 years. On this outing, his fierce guitar playing and soulful vocals are front and center. Additionally, he’s taken on the producing and mixing responsibilities for the project. The 19-song recording is indeed live and in its purest form. Popa notes there were “no edits, no punches, no re-takes,” which is a refreshing departure from the glossy production techniques prevalent in today’s music landscape. The album’s tracks are drawn from his extensive catalog of originals and familiar covers reimagined with his signature sound.

Popa Chubby’s playing style is firmly rooted in the blues, but he drew inspiration from Cream, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix in his early days. A standout moment on the album is his rendition of Hendrix’s iconic cover of Billy Roberts’ “Hey Joe,” a tribute ingrained as a hallmark of his live performances, is showcased in this collection.

He takes the tempo up a notch on Neil Young’s “Motorcycle Mama,” the album’s first single, giving it his rocked-up treatment. Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” sees Popa Chubby vocalizing raw emotion while Mike Dimeo takes us to church with a gospel-inspired organ solo. Other covers include Tom Wait’s “Heart Attack And Vine,” the blues staple “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down And Out,” and The Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy For The Devil.” The latter track seamlessly segues into “Chubby’s Story,” playfully referencing Lou Reed’s “Walk On The Wild Side” and even showcasing Popa’s rap flair on “Gin & Juice.” Beyond playing the blues, Popa Chubby knows how to entertain.

But at the album’s heart are his hard-hitting blues-rock originals, such as the single “Another Ten Years Gone.” The lyrics cleverly pay homage to departed legends John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and blues pioneer Willie Dixon while reassuring listeners that “the blues keep moving on.” The double-time outro section leaves ample space for a fiery guitar solo.

“Another Ten Years Gone”

 
The laid-back groove of “69 Dollars” sets the stage for Mike Dimeo’s tasteful Fender Rhodes solo. The band brings the dynamics down for a robust guitar solo into a section where Popa Chubby interweaves his guitar lines with melodic scats a la George Benson.

He introduces a “Grown Man Crying Blues” for “his woman cause she ran off with his very best friend.” If that isn’t the blues, what is? The band stretches out on the nearly 14-minute track with burning guitar and organ solos, altering the ebb and flow of the dynamics over the slow blues tune.

“I Can’t See The Light Of Day” is a gospel-tinged blues/soul number that has become one of his most requested songs. He sings about a love not returned. His powerful vocals intertwine with melodic guitar runs, punctuated by Mike Merritt’s bass breakdown midway through the song.

Live at G. Bluey’s Juke Joint NYC captures Popa Chubby’s passion on stage, immersing the listener in the experience as if they were in the room. He’ll be on the road to promote this release for the remainder of the year. You won’t want to pass it up if you can see him in person. Until then, do yourself the favor by listening to this album.

Popa Chubby website