John Primer — “Grown In Mississippi” — Blues House Productions
John Primer’s excellent album “Grown in Mississippi” has been around for few weeks, but it’s one I can’t ignore.
At the age of 80, Primer is one of the few real-deal bluesmen still performing, and his authentic music reflects his deep roots in the blues. And it reflects some of the music that I favor when I sit down with some bourbon and blues!
Primer was born into a Camden, Miss., sharecropper family and learned to love the music at a young age — his father and cousin played guitar and sang, and his grandmother’s blues records sparked more interest. He made his first music with a diddley bow on the side of her house.
Primer relocated to Chicago at 18, honed his skills on the streets and in clubs, and in 1974 became a member of the house band at the legendary South Side club, Theresa’s, where Willie Dixon eventually asked Primer to join his Chicago Blues All-Stars in 1979. From there, he grew through the bands of Muddy Waters and Magic Slim before launching his own career. His recordings with and for Bob Corritore have preserved much of his heritage in recent years.
That heritage is on display here from the primitive opening acapella sounds of “John’s Blues Holler,” a field chant from deep in the blues, moving into “Born in Mississippi,” a down-home blues memory of his hard young life with just his voice and eloquent guitar.
A series of classic deep-blue covers includes Leroy’s Carr’s “Blues Before Sunrise,” Muddy Waters’ “Walkin’ Blues” and Willie Dixon’s “Down In The Bottom.” Primer’s own “Nothing But A Chicken Wing” struts with the legendary Bobby Rush, still full of vinegar at 91, on harp. The slow blues “A Better Day” and “When I Met The Blues” round out this set of three originals.
Joe Williams’ “Baby Please Don’t Go” features Charlie Musselwhite on harp followed by Louisiana Red’s hot-wired “Let Me Be Your Electrician” and the Jimmy Reed classic “Shame Shame Shame.” Primer’s daughter Aliya takes over with an elegant vocal on the sweetly traditional “Lay My Burdens Down,” with Eden Brent on piano and organ.
Two more Primer originals close the album: The sprightly “Ain’t Kickin’ Up No Dust” and “John’s Crawdad Song,” the first song Primer learned on the diddley bow.
“Grown in Mississippi” is blues for the ages. Primer’s vocals and guitar dig deep into the essence of Chicago’s blues heritage. His talented guest artists add to the musical magic. Primer has remained faithful to his blues roots, and at the same time made his music part of the contemporary blues conversation with its timeless appeal. Enjoy it soon and often. Let it fill that hole in your soul.
Tracklist and credits:
Blues Roadhouse 