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Bert Deivert
Takin’ Sam’s Advice
Most blues aficionado’s are always looking forward to a fresh take on modern traditional blues recordings, and may very well find it on Bert Deiverts new CD. Bert, who now lives in Sweden, has produced this new recording of songs by three of the great bluesmen of our time. Namely Yank Rachell, Sam Chatmon and Son House. Forging the influence of his love of Sam’s music, Bert even named the CD title for Sam. I am intrigued on Bert’s ability to play the bass runs and slide techniques players like these forged. Starting with Yank Rachell’s “Seems Like a Dream” Bert incorporated his mandolin style into the track with great enthusiasm, and it starts right off with a rambunctious tempo and old country flare to the track. I especially liked his version of Tommy Johnson’s “Big Road Blues,” but he plays it the way Sam Chatmon recorded it. I have heard the original Chatmon version and Bert delivers it well. Other Rachell numbers here include “Divin’ Duck Blues” and “My Baby’s Gone,” which renders a snakelike prowl to the melody with Mats Qwarfordt on harmonica. “Preachin’ Blues” and “Levee Camp Moan” are both here, giving ample tribute to the great slide player Son House. The smooth traditional “Morning Blues” comes from the influence of John Sebastian, and “Mississippi Blues” bends a different take to the old Willie Brown recording. Other numbers that sit on the rarity list include “Crow Jane,” “That’s Alright” and styling’s from Mance Lipscomb on “Silver City.” The legendary Sleepy John Estes carry’s a heavy influence with us all, and his “Broke and Hungry” is laid down here as a funky, well improvised jam that induces the down home feel that is found on most of these tracks. Bert placed an original on the CD as well entitled “When You Got a True Friend,” co-written by Brian Kramer. Bert plays guitar, but picked up the mandolin through his love for Yank Rachell. The mandolin he plays on these recordings is a resonator, and can be heard easily above other, more pronounced instruments. There are very few blues mandolin performers in today’s blues circuit and Bert is one of them. He invited a fine array of musicians to help out on this recording including his old friend Peter Case with whom he once teamed up with during his years in California. If you’re looking for a set of old traditional tunes by someone who knows how to play them then look no further. Take Sam’s advice and give Bert’s new CD a listen.
© 2008, Dirk Wissbaum
BluesSource.com
2008-10-28
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