Search - Champion Jack Dupree :: Natural & Soulful Blues / Champion of the Blues

Fine piano blues

Timothy G. Niland | New Jersey, USA | 07/29/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Champion Jack Dupree had a very long and successful career in the blues making many albums for many labels. His zenith may have come in the late fifties and early sixties when he had a very successful run at Atlantic Records. This album finds Jack's strolling piano and booming voice backed by bass and drums. He sings a touching tribute to a friend in "Death of Big Bill Broonzy" and a very nice version of the standard "How Long Blues." He can't resist getting a few shots in during "Mother in Law's Blues." When the fellas ask Jack why he keeps bringing his wife to work, Jack responds with a wink that his wife is so ugly that he can't bear to kiss her goodbye in the morning! The album ends on a gentle note with Jack playing a couple of instrumental pieces, "The Dennis Rag" and "The Slow Drag" which show off the instrumental skill of the small group. It's hard to go wrong with any of Jack Dupree's music from this time period and this excellent album is no exception."