Charles “Big Daddy” Stallings | Blues Evolution
Coming thru with the Traditional aspect of Blues music, Mr. Stallings re-creates the blues magic with his approach to “Blues Evolution”, direct from Tai Jeria Records. An appealing mix of 15 tracks embracing his endearing passion for Blues music & the indirect messages his compositions shines to the blues fan base. I felt the rhythmic textures & inimitable guitar flows that truly highlights “Big Daddy”s gifts to blues effortlessly. What is also rather appealing was his full staffed band, representing each song with great detail, as to say you will need to drift off away from Mr. Stallings lead vocals & catch a whiff of his crew in action. Let me go a little further in detail myself about the disc…
Track Listing:
~ Intro Boogie
~ Let’s Boogie
~ Going Down South
~ Blues Train Express
~ Hard Times/Good Times
~ Blues Line Dance
~ 2999
~ Blues Cowboy
~ Hobbsville #2
~ Cha Cha 3000
~ Strange Things
~ Booty Slappin’
~ Hand Dancin’
~ Hola Senorita
~ Thank-You Boogie
Kicking off the evening of high octane blues boogie comes “Intro Boogie” , revealing the musicians subject matter in “Let’s Boogie” – rather eloquently put in check: Look out for that trumpet solo blare coming from Kelvin O’Neal. He sets up Joe “E-Flat” Thomas to follow on the sax, then backed next by harp player Mark Wenner. Glenn Workman’s Piano & Organ prowess did not go unnoticed. This opener should be a full illustration of what we should expect to hear from “Big Daddy”s band throughout the disc. Flawless.
The appreciation for that down home, southern style blues grabs my attention in songs, “Going Down South”, “hard Times/Good Times”, “Blues Cowboy” & “Strange Things” – Guitar driven, lyrically attractive originals that may have you pull up a chair, lay back & chill for a moment. With a good basket of boiled crawfish & red russet potatoes on standby. That’s what I am talking about! Along with an occasional head bob to go with the groove…
There’s also a couple of tracks that swings its way into the heart of the dance floor with anthems, “Blues Line Dance” & “Cha Cha 3000”. What about asking your dance partner if he/she can “Hand Dance”? This one reminded me of the old school legend -Clarence Carter’s “Strokin'” for just a little bit.
The adventurous impact of embracing both a little bit of latin music intricately combining with blues to “Hola Senorita” was unique & quite different to say the least, as “Thank-You Boogie” bows us out of a harmonious blues ride “Blues Evolution” carried me.
This album has to be for the true-to-heart Traditional Blues lovers throughout the universe. It doesn’t always stay along the coastline of blues music entirely, but rather approached many various artforms of music genres on several tracks provided. Charles “Big Daddy” Stallings also delivered some very interesting lyrics to his tunes, which always grabs my attention despite the music created for them. It’s a trademark of blues music that helps make the songs stick to the earlobes. A nice presentation of what Mr. Stallings passionately represents from his love for the art. I would give the “Go-Get-It” pass to the blues listeners with ease & to new fans looking for that back home, southern rendering of great sounds to add to their respective collections.
Terrill Hanna
The Urban Music Scene