Search - Siegel-Schwall Band :: The Wooden Nickel Years

A hard task with the Real Thing

James S. Yeoman | 03/19/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"RCA had to choose a "best of" format, and although all songs the band did at this point in its' life were and are great, RCA missed terribly by omitting some immortal songs from 953 West that define S-S Band. RCA should have done what Vanguard did, and include ALL songs plus extras. RCA once again shows that at that time they had no idea what to do with any acts that were not country and western, and still don't (if RCA still exists). At least they could have put out a double CD, and sequenced Traitor From Decatur right after I'd Love to Take You Home With Me...

On the other hand, if you have never heard the band before, this is a budget intro, and you'll end up buying all the others! So skip this if you have a choice, and begin with 953 West. Turn lights down low, the volume up, and cuddle up with your favorite intoxicant or two (wine and woman, fer instance). Paul Butterfield and Siegel-Schwall may tie in first place for the title for the best original white blues band, but close your eyes and colour disappears because this is the real thing. But here's the difference between these two bands: Butterfield band was living the blues, whereas S-S band sound like they were living the blues AND enjoying it. This is blues to take your blues away! Every line is unique, arrangements are superb, and choice of instruments are perfect, such as mandolin, or mellophone, giving added flavour. And don't forget that Rollow Radford played bass for Sun Ra, so you know he can play captivating and entertaining bass that will make you shimmy down (or make you want to). Also, you may not find the CD of 953 West, but by all means buy the vinyl, because most of the songs are originals and music like this seldom comes our way.

RIP Shelly Plotvin



"

"What's this! Hush Hush on Hush Hush?

D. G. Luttrell | Colorado | 03/28/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've seen many things change in Chicago, the end of Maxwell Street as it

was a hub for people to mingle and exchange, but not putting the last cut

of Siegel Schwall Band's first album on "The Wooden Nickel Years" is to

deprive people of a glimpse of what the Siegel Schwall Band was like live.

It is somewhat like the fish needing a bicycle argument, or needing this

album, sucking people in on a promise, how carney is that? Even vultures

must gag sometime!"