Search - Little Charlie & The Nightcats :: Deluxe Edition

Good Time Music

Joseph Panzarella | West Islip, New York | 01/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fine mixture of basic blues, and some good old rockabilly. Most of the songs are really tounge in cheek, but I think that's what they were trying to achieve, and in my opinion they did it. I can't say that I've found a bad track on this cd, but my favorite is "The Booty Song (I love to watch you walk away)". If you like the blues and a little swamp rockabilly check them out."

California Jump Blues at it's Best!

deepbluereview | SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA | 03/30/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Alligator has done a real nice job on their "Deluxe Edition" series, which are essentially compilations of work done by a band while under contract with the Gator. Various titles in the series include the work of Johnny Winter, Albert Collins, Lonnie Brooks, Kenny Neal and Little Charlie. As a general rule, because most of these musicians have also released records under contract with other record companies, these editions are not the "Best Of..." any particular artist. In this case however, Little Charlie has been under contract exclusively with Alligator and have produced at least eight CD's with that company including their new release "That's Big". This compilation contains 15 songs covering six of Little Charlie's releases. The songs chosen are a good introduction to the California Jump Blues music the band plays with it's blazing lead guitar, tight rhythm section, hard blowing Chicago harp, and witty and often humorous vocals. If you are not familiar with this band, this is a good place to sample some of their highlight tunes and live performance favorites such as "Sure Seems Strange", "Dump That Chump", "The Booty Song" and "My Next Ex-Wife". Buy this CD and see why people can't sit still during a Little Charlie concert."

Good band, mediocre compilation

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 05/14/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Everybody from pro reviewers to part-time ones seem to love this compilation, and there is certainly some good stuff here, but to me it isn't all that it could have been.



There are some really good, funky blues tunes here, but the Alligator compilers have included too many slightly too cute novelty songs which make the Nightcats seem more lightweight and less like a "real" blues band than they really are. Add a couple of unmemorable instrumentals and one or two thoroughly forgettable clichès, and you have a compilation which just doesn't do its subject justice.



If you've listened to the group's best original albums you'll know that half of the songs on this compilation should have been scrapped in favour of songs like "That's My Girl", "I Feel So Sorry", "You Win", "Living Hand To Mouth", and "I'm Just Lucky That Way". And besides, some of the Nightcats' best material has come out after this 1997 compilation.

There is some really good material here, but I wouldn't start my collection with "Deluxe Edition"...I'd pick up the excellent 1998 album "Shadow Of The Blues" and/or "Disturbing The Peace"."