Acoustic road warriors
Paul Rishell and
Annie Raines have been playing the country blues together for more than 16 years, and they sound totally relaxed and comfortable as they romp through the 13 tunes, both old and new, on this live set, recorded at the Joyous Lake in Woodstock, NY, now unfortunately shuttered. The sessions were part of a documentary project about jug band music called Chasin' Gus' Ghost with
John Sebastian sitting in with
Rishell and
Raines on second harp. "Got to Fly" is a simple little country blues shuffle with a spirited vocal from
Raines complementing her sharp harp solo.
Blind Boy Fuller's "Custard Pie" gets a funky workout with
Rishell's clanking guitar and sly vocal.
Raines' harp plays call and response with
Rishell's guitar before taking off on her own.
Jack Clement's "It'll Be Me and I'll Be Looking for You" was a rousing rocker when
Jerry Lee Lewis played it in the '50s.
Lewis made it sound like a stalker's threat when he said he'd be looking for you.
Rishell slows it down to a dirge and makes it sound like a hopeless lament. His vocal is full of sustained, bluesy notes and
Raines holds back to add subtle, forlorn accents. "Blue Shadows" adds the electric guitar of
Chris Rival and the rhythm section of Billy MacGillivray on drums,
Reed Butler on bass, and special guest
Bruce Katz on keys. It's a slow, dirty blues with
Katz adding an outstanding solo. "Orange Dude Blues" features
Sebastian and
Raines trading sizzling solos, backed only by
Rishell's sparse guitar and a bit of foot stomping. There ain't noting fancy here, just a down-home blowing session that's as warm and friendly as a fire on a winter night. ~ j. poet