Tenor saxophonist
Eddie Shaw is a rarity in blues circles--a first-class instrumentalist who is not a guitarist or pianist.
Shaw is a soulful, exuberant player whose lusty licks make a solid counterpoint to his rough-hewn vocals and narratives. While
Shaw carries the majority of the load on this 10-cut date from 1982 previously recorded for Isabel (reissued on CD by Evidence) it is guitarist
Melvin Taylor who is the revelation as second soloist. Between his work with
Lucky Peterson, his own CD, and his brisk, sizzling solos and accompaniment here,
Taylor merits high praise as a workmanlike, flexible contributor. The others, with the exception of the great
Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, are heady pros capably handling limited support duties. ~ Ron Wynn