Well, Well, Well! by R. L. Burnside

06 Feb

Written by Richard Bourcier
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Mississippi bluesman R.L. Burnside didn’t pick up a guitar until the mid 1950s at about 30 years of age. Fortunately, R.L’s neighbor was none other than the late Mississippi Fred McDowell who encouraged and tutored his friend.

Burnside echoes the droning blues of John Lee Hooker and Lightnin’ Hopkins in his own laid back style. This CD is compiled from various sources including private sessions and commercial recordings, with a generous measure of material that has never been heard on record. The artist is showcased not only as a blues performer, but also as a storyteller. Fans may have heard some of R.L.’s stories before but he always manages to sufficiently modify the content making it sound like something new.

The CD features Burnside with many of his own songs including Nightmare Blues, Goin’ Down South, Forty Four Pistol, Poor Boy and Goin’ Away Baby. There are also tunes by Lightnin’ Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Joe lee Williams and Chester Burnette rendered in R.L.’s relaxed country style.

R.L. Burnside’s last M.C. Records issue sold over 10,000 copies and was nominated for a W.C. Handy Reissue of the Year award in 1998. "Well, Well, Well" has an arrival date of March 27th and we hope you’ll get out and give it a listen. This is exceptional down home blues.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: R. L. Burnside
CD Title: Well, Well, Well!
Genre: Blues
Year Released: 2001
Record Label: M.C. Records
Musicians: R.L. Burnside (vocal/guitar) with various musicians including Jon Morris (harmonica)
Label Website: http://www.mc-records.com
Rating: Five Stars