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ELVIN BISHOP’S BIG FUN TRIO
Something Smells Funky ‘Round Here
Alligator Records
By Robin
Zimmerman
That old
rapscallion, Elvin Bishop, is back in action. Hot on the heels of his
2017 Grammy-nominated Big Fun
Trio, he’s gathered his cronies, Willy Jordan and Bob Welsh for
another rollicking Alligator release that runs the gamut from
well-crafted covers to hard-hitting social commentary delivered with
Bishop’s trademark biting wit and great guitar licks.
Bishop is often
associated with his 1975 hit, “Fooled around and Fell in Love”
—especially after it was prominently featured on the
Guardians of the Galaxy
soundtrack. But Bishop is much more than a one-hit wonder and his
musical resume speaks for itself.
The 75-year old
Bishop bounced around during his formative years. He was born in
California and then moved to Iowa before the family settled in Oklahoma
when he was 10. Here, he attended Will Rogers High School and received a
full ride to study Physics at the University of Chicago as a National
Merit Scholar.
Bishop was
already clued into Chicago’s burgeoning blues scene after a steady diet
of listening to late-night R & B stations. Bishop blew into the Windy
City at just the right time. It wasn’t long until he met up with Paul
Butterfield and launched his career as an in-demand blues guitarist.
Whether it was
his extended version of “Turn on Your Love Light” with the Grateful Dead
or jamming with the Allman Brothers and others, Bishop boasts some very
impressive musical credentials. This was punctuated by his 2015
induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as well as a slew of Grammy
nods and other industry accolades.
Despite all this
recognition, Bishop’s still having way too much fun and it looks as if
he won’t be walking off into the sunset any time soon. It’s obvious that
this cat really enjoys what he’s doing, and his aptly-named band
reflects a razor-sharp take on life.
This is the
second Alligator release for the Big Fun Trio (although Bishop has
recorded a number of albums on the label over the years). They scored a
Grammy nomination for their first endeavor
Big Fun Trio and the band’s
back at it on Something Smells
Funky ‘Round Here.
This band has
toured extensively since the release of that first album early in 2017.
They’ve loosened up on a personal level but are much tighter in terms of
musicianship and mastery of many of the songs featured on this sophomore
effort.
As on the first Big Fun Trio
release, Welsh’s wizardry shines through on piano, organ and guitar
while Jordan brings along his vocal talents and considerable skills on
the Cajon --- a Peruvian drum instrument that rounds out every track
with its multi-faceted sounds.
The Big Fun Trio
makes a statement right out of the gate. The title track “Something
Smells Funky ‘Round Here” is a pseudo-State of the Union address that
takes plenty of pot shots at the present administration. With lines like
“I believe we got stuck with a lemon” and “funky like some old rotten
politician,” Bishop hammers every point home with his signature “aw
shucks” spoken word delivery.
After cluing
listeners into their political woes, the fun is back on the next track,
“(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher.” On this Jackie Wilson
remake, Jordan takes on vocal duties with a falsetto that would do the
original artist proud.
“Right Now is
the Hour” is one of Bishop’s tunes from the vault. On this reworking of
his 1978 composition from The
Skin I’m In, he reflects on mortality and advises listeners that
“Father Time is closing in” so just stay in the moment and enjoy life.
The band settles
into slow groove mode with the classic tale of infidelity on “Another
Mule.” This tune was penned by Dave Bartholomew and covered by a legion
of big-name blues artists, but the Big Fun Trio confidently puts their
own indelible stamp on this old chestnut.
On “That’s the
Way Willy Likes It,” it’s back to the basic guitar-driven funky beat
that Bishop’s been doing for decades. After hitting all the high notes
on the Jackie Wilson cover, Jordan demonstrates his impressive vocal
range with a deeper, soulful delivery.
Bob Welsh is
spotlighted on the aptly named “Bob’s Boogie.”
Here, he showcases the ivory-tickling skills that have enhanced
the sounds of everyone from James Cotton and Charlie Musselwhite to
Billy Boy Arnold and others. This Louisiana native clearly loves to have
a good time and it’s apparent on this self-penned instrumental.
Big Fun circles
back to the seventies with a great remake of Ann Peebles’ 1973 hit, “I
Can’t Stand the Rain.” On this
number, lead vocalist Jordan channels Al Green on their homage to the
golden age of soul music. Welsh skillfully segues over to the organ on
this track.
Bishop’s “Stomp”
has been an audience favorite dating back to his early years. He brings
it back here in all its country-flavored, toe-tapping, slide-heavy,
crowd-pleasing glory.
Bishop doesn’t
make any bones about his age or gray hair either. On the next track, “Lookin’
Good,” he tackles the subject of growing old and how “lookin’ good”
could represent the end-of-the line for many. But Bishop takes a glass
half-full acceptance of this life stage because it sure beats the
alternative!
The fun and
satisfying romp through a mélange of musical styles comes to a rousing,
Cajun-flavored conclusion as the band covers Clifton Chenier’s “My
Soul.” Jordan provides yet another stellar vocal turn on this number
with Andre Thierry’s jaunty accordion adding an extra dash of bayou
seasoning to the mix.
Whether it’s
mixing up musical styles to keep listener burnout at bay or simply
laying out some irresistible lyrical hooks,
“Something Smells Funky ‘Round
Here” offers conclusive proof that the Big Fun Trio is living up to
their name in a big way.
Something Smells
Funky ‘Round Here
was produced by
Bishop and recording engineer Steve Savage. It was recorded at Bishop’s
“Hog Heaven” studios in Lagunitas, California.
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