Chris Beard — “Pass It On Down” — Blue Heart Records
Blues music has a rich history that’s full of great music and musicians.
It has a future, too, but sometimes it’s hard to know where this classical American music will go next.
Chris Beard’s strong new album “Pass It On Down” gives us a clear-eyed look at the music from both sides now — where the music has been and where it just might be going.
Chris is the son of veteran Rochester, N.Y., bluesman Joe Beard, who grew up on Beale Street in the 1950s. With family friends like Matt “Guitar” Murphy and Buddy Guy, it didn’t take long for the younger Beard to learn to love and play the blues. With years of club work on his resume, Chris released his debut recording, “Barwalkin,” in 1998, which earned him a W.C. Handy nomination as the Best New Blues Artist.
“Pass It On Down” is his seventh album since then, each one increasing his foothold in the blues, as well as moving him in his own musical direction. This latest session includes his father, in a tribute to his roots, as he also works his way into a bluesy future.
Chris gets plenty of help along the way from his band — guitarist Brother Wilson and Marvin Parker on bass, drummer Carlton Campbell, keyboardists John Tucker and Jonathan Curry with special guest appearances by Johnny Rawls, Mary Ellen Haden, Richard Rodolph, Kenny Neal and his band. Nine of the ten tracks are originals by Beard and include previously released, remixed and remastered songs, plus one cover. This is his debut on Blue Heart Records.
The album opener is a funky-tough “Let The Chips Fall,” kicking in with drums and ripped with a horn attack followed by fierce guitar riffs — it’s a strong statement that this music is now his own, and let the chips fall where they may. “One More Cry For Love” follows, slowing the tempo but not the contemporary mood. “Big Girl” rides a steady beat of frustration over a woman so near but yet so far.
The moving title track pairs father and son Beard in a heartfelt blues-filled duet with a plea to keep the music flowing — to “pass it on down.” That’s followed by Chris returning with the powerful slow-blues “House Of Shame.” A heady organ intro pushes “When Love Comes Knocking” into another funk-filled treat. Chris Beard traveled to Baton Rouge to record the torchy “Son I Never Knew,” that turns blues into soulful sorrow.
“Keeps Me Believing” is a gentle and powerfully soulful love song, followed by the upbeat invitation to dance “Who Do You Think You’re Foolin’.” Beard goes down home for the closer, with gritty guitar work and vocals that bite on “Bitter Baby.”
Blues giant Willie Dixon was fond of the phrase, “The blues are the roots, the rest are the fruits.” Chris Beard’s solid efforts here dig deep for the roots and provide a tasty sample of the fruits. It’s an album well worth enjoying for all of its musical rewards.
Here’s an interesting interview with Chris Beard from 2017, by Michael Limnios on his blog, Blues Gr.
Here’s the album’s opening track, “Let The Chips Fall.”
Tracklist:
1. Let the Chips Fall (3:18)
2. One More Cry for Love (4:21)
3. Big Girl (4:27)
4. Pass It on Down (feat. Joe Beard) (4:18)
5. House of Shame (5:22)
6. When Love Comes Knocking (4:01)
7. Son I Never Knew (5:13)
8. Keeps Me Believing (4:44)
9. Who Do You Think You’re Foolin’ (2:37)
10. Bitter Baby (5:29)
Blues Roadhouse 