Charles “Big Daddy” Stallings
Blues Evolution
Tai Jeria Record Company
Who’s your Daddy? Or, who’s your “Blues Daddy?” This cat starts right off with some solid boogie blues, continues on with more high-energy danceable product, add a couple R&B tinged numbers, and the energy doesn’t stop until the end of this CD. You get your money’s worth with 13 cuts plus the intro and finale narratives. It is no doubt this is a fun-time party band with music that should make anyone want to get up and dance. Actually, this would make an excellent CD to play when you want to liven up the party and get people on their feet!
This recording is of good quality and the musicians are all accomplished musically and sound fine, very fine. You can tell they all know what each one’s roll is and they are a very tight band on this recording. From what I hear it would be nice to see them perform live. Possibly the strongest aspect of this offering is the fact that all the songs are original tunes. With such strong vocals and harmonies throughout it makes for a very full and solid sound. Add a little funky influence and this CD comes to life!
I personally enjoyed the harp mixed with the horns. It kind of reminds me of some shows I heard earlier in my blues journey of Junior Wells with his touring big bands. With so many groups you either had a harp and no horns, or horns and no harp. This band blends the two very smoothly. They trade licks, lead-ins and lead-outs between them in a very tasty manner. On solos these players shine, are very tasty, and show their depth. His band members all have qualified pedigrees as bluesmen, musicians and many of them have Gospel roots to boot. If you want to know more then I would visit the website to learn more.
One of the songs I personally enjoyed was “Going Down South.” You hear some of the Jimmy Reed’s influence on this number. “Blues Cowboy,” is another song that stands out and has a rather witty theme. I wonder if the inspiration for these songs came from his earlier years growing up on the farm in Hobbsville, NC? With ten siblings life had to be a challenge. You can get a taste of his many years of “Living the Blues,” from his songwriting. Big Daddy has shared the stage with many great bluesmen: “Pinetop” Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Michael Burks and Marva Wright.
His debut release, “One Night Lover”, featured the very popular single, “4x4 Woman,” which reached number 1 at XM Radio and opened him up to a worldwide audience. This follow up CD is on his self-owned label, “Tai Jeria,” and exemplifies why his music has been called; “Good Time Blues With A Twist!”
Anyone that likes the big-band urban blues style and likes to boogie down should enjoy this CD. If you are a Delta or Piedmont style blues-o-phile only, then look elsewhere. For more info visit his website at: www.bigdaddystallings.com.
© 2007, David L. Fox
BluesSource.com
2007-12-04
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