Christopher Wyze & The Tellers – Naptown Blues
Some albums arrive in clever packaging; this is one. It appears as an old 78 rpm record & packaged in the late ‘20s. Appropriate for the music on the ambitious Naptown Blues (Dropped Oct 2/Big Radio Records/40:06) recorded in Indianapolis & produced by Jim Reilley.
Conjured up are 11 Leroy Carr & Scrapper Blackwell songs. Carr & Blackwell were Indy’s greatest blues pioneers who recorded classic blues music & this LP pays tribute to them – admirably. Mr. Wyze provides a handsome 24pp stitched insert with detailed liner notes about the original recordings made between 1928-9 & 1932, who covered them & the lyrics.
Fortunately, these new versions don’t add cheesy scratches & 78 needle tracking noise to the reconstructed compositions to fake “authenticity.” Instead, Chris keeps it focused on the feel of the melody, mood of the performance, & richness of the vocalization to adhere to these dusty jewels. First out of the sleeve is Leroy Carr’s “I’m Going Back To Tennessee.” Wyze adds harmonica & despite the modern process, manages to keep the tune respectfully of its era. No electronics or showboating to enliven & elevate.
Vocally, Wyze does a good job, but his voice isn’t on the same plain with a diehard bluesmen’s timbre. Chris shines best on these aged melodies on his harmonica & its pure blues note for note — with every breath. “How Long – How Long Blues,” covered by major artists like Count Basie, Ray Charles, Dinah Washington & Tampa Red are hard acts to follow. The uniqueness of listening to these songs is how the bluesmen choose fascinating blues subjects. Evident on “The Truth About the Thing,” with its stellar guitar solo. Chris sings a little close to an easy listening style here. But doesn’t fail to keep the blues between the notes. A credit to how easily a good blues can be converted & wear a different hat.
One reason interpreters of the blues fall short is because they swim beyond their depth. Not everyone has a traditional blues voice, tough, gnarled like the bark of a tree & raw. Chris is wonderful vocally more so on some tunes than others & with his harmonica on “Prison Bound Blues” & “Birthday In Jail” — exceptional.
The best blues lesson is to sit beside a real bluesman, listen, & watch. Most of these recreated numbers are done well; they have callouses but not the scars. That’s a deeper dive.
This LP is a document, an education, & highly recommended. The trio of Wyze, Boyle & Murphy keeps it — traditional.
Highlights – “I’m Going Back To Tennessee,” “Naptown Blues,” “How Long – How Long Blues,” “Midnight Hour Blues,” “Kokomo Blues,” “Prison Bound Blues” & “Birthday In Jail.”
Musicians – John Boyle III (acoustic, electric & slide guitars/Hammond organ) & Gerry Murphy (acoustic bass).
Color image courtesy of the website. CD @ https://christopherwyzeandthetellers.com/naptown-blues-1
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: Video Premiere: Christopher Wyze & the Tellers “Cotton Ain’t King”