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Willie Buck: The Life I Love
ByBuck knows how to read a lyric and as a singer he's his own man, but that wouldn't count for much if he hadn't surrounded himself with a band that knows its stuff inside out. On the slow and vaguely brooding "How Can I Be Nice to You" the harmonica is outstanding even while it doesn't upstage Buck. The guitars of John Primer and Louis Myers snap and slink and the resulting mood just oozes sincerity.
Covering

Willie Dixon
bass, acoustic1915 - 1992

Muddy Waters
guitar1915 - 1983
The groove is of a different order on "Sweet Sixteen" proving that it is possible to be innocently lascivious, especially when a band is as intent on nailing it as this one is. Big Moose Walker rolls on piano to the extent that he wouldn't have sounded out of place in the Chess records studio three decades before this material was cut, while drummer Jerry Porter shows he's as well acquainted with the backbeat as
Fred Below
drumsb.1926

Earl Palmer
drums1924 - 2008
The last five tracks were recorded live. What they lack in audio sophistication is more than compensated for by their immediacy and fire. Recorded in Chicago back in 1984 they are in summary further testament to no holds barred blues. It's not clear whether or not it's Little Mac Simmons on harmonica on these sides but whoever it is knows his

Little Walter
harmonica1930 - 1968
Track Listing
She's All Right; How Can I Be Nice to You; I Live the Life I Love; I've Got a Right to Love My Baby; Champagne and Reefer; There's a Time; Everything's Gonna Be Alright; Sweet Sixteen; Found My Baby Gone; Nineteen Years Old; I Want You to Love Me; Got My Mojo Workin'; Sugar Sweet; Don't Go No Further; Checkin' Up On My Baby; Just To Be With You; Blues Had a Baby.
Personnel
Willie Buck: vocals; Louis Myers: guitar; John Primer: guitar; Little Mac Simmons: harmonica; Dimestore Fred: harmonica (2, 3, 5, 6, 8-12); Big Moose Walker: keyboards; Dave Myers: bass; Jerry Porter: drums (1-12); Jodie North: drums (13-17).
Album information
Title: The Life I Love | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Delmark Records
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