Kim Wilson — “Slow Burn” — M.C. Records
For a half-century and change, Kim Wilson’s harp and vocals have led The Fabulous Thunderbirds, the rugged blues band he co-founded in Austin, Texas, in 1974, that supercharged blues music with Wilson’s soaring harp and Jimmie Vaughan on guitar.
He’s the only original member of the T-Birds still with the band, with Wilson now sometimes stepping out on his own.
“Slow Burn” is his latest solo effort. The songs are taken from two earlier sessions in 2014 and 2020 that featured three outstanding musicians who have since died: drummer Richard Innes, piano player Barrelhouse Chuck, and bassist Larry Taylor.
Eight of the twelve tracks here are classic blues from legendary bluesmen, re-imagined and channeled through Wilson’s prodigious harp and vocals that are more than tuff-enuff for the task. The four originals, especially two instrumentals, show off Wilson’s own powerful classic stylings.
Everything begins with a romp?? through Little Milton’s “I’m Trying,” with a layer of horns endorsing Wilson’s ever-so-smooth vocal. Wilson’s “Leaving You on My Mind” adds gut-bucket attitude to a down-home trio of harp, guitar and drums.
Wilson gives B.B. King’s “Sweet Little Angel” a convincing vocal workout, with Bob Welsh adding just-right guitar, and Barrelhouse Chuck on piano. “Boogie in E” is Wilson’s first instrumental, a flashy bit of harmonica virtuosity. “Howlin’ For My Darlin’” is appropriately down and dirty Howlin’ Wolf (Chester Burnett), followed the harp wizardry and vocal richness of “Keep Our Business To Yourself” Alex Miller (who performed as Sonny Boy Williamson II).
Wilson reaches deep into the blues for the first of two songs from Robert Nighthawk, who doesn’t often get the recognition he deserves. The first is the swampy “The Time Has Come” that speaks eloquently of its deep blues roots. Wilson’s “Lowdown Woman” shuffles along before Magic Sam’s “Easy Baby” stirs its simmering blues into the mix. “Gotta Have A Horse” is the second Wilson instrumental, another relentless harmonica blowout. Wilson aces another Nighthawk gem, a rollicking “Kansas City” (from 1951, not the 1952 Leiber-Stoller creation).
The closer is nine-minute tour-de-force version of Otis Rush’s classic “So Many Roads,” with a gorgeous two-minute harp intro followed by Wilson’s aching vocal, and more harp woven elegantly throughout.
Wilson, talking about making this album, says:
“The tracks on this album are very special because several of the songs include some of the last
performances in the studio by three great blues giants, Richard Innes, Larry Taylor, and
Barrelhouse Chuck. Basically, everything was recorded the same way they did it in the old days.
Some great blues for you fans, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did making it.”
“Slow Burn” is a great title for this session of fiery blues, torrid harp work and soulful, torchy vocals. Kim Wilson has added this music to his tough, hard-working blues legacy that thankfully shows no sign of slowing down.
Here’s a Kim Wilson interview with Blues Blast Magazine
“Leaving You On My Mind” from the album:
Just for fun, here’s the Robert Nighthawk version of “Kansas City”:
Tracklist & credits:
Track 1 – I’m Trying (Milton Campbell)
Vocals/Harmonica: Kim Wilson
Guitar: Billy Flynn
Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck
Drums: Marty Dodson
Horns: Johnny Viau
Track 2 – Leaving You On My Mind (Kim Wilson)
Vocals/Harmonica: Kim Wilson
Guitar: Billy Flynn
Drums: Malachi Johnson
Track 3 – Sweet Little Angel (B.B. King)
Vocals/Harmonica: Kim Wilson
Guitar: Bob Welsh
Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck
Bass: Troy Sandow
Drums: Marty Dodson
Track 4 – Boogie in E (Kim Wilson)
Vocals/Harmonica: Kim Wilson
Guitar: Billy Flynn
Bass: Troy Sandow
Drums: Malachi Johnson
Track 5 – Howlin’ For My Darlin’ (Chester Burnett)
Vocals/Harmonica: Kim Wilson
Guitar: Bob Welsh
Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck
Bass: Troy Sandow
Drums: Marty Dodson
Track 6 – Keep Our Business To Yourself (Sonny Boy Williamson II/Rice Miller)
Vocals/Harmonica: Kim Wilson
Guitar: Billy Flynn
Drums: Marty Dodson
Track 7 – The Time Has Come (Robert Nighthawk)
Vocals/Harmonica: Kim Wilson
Guitar: Bob Welsh
Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck
Bass: Troy Sandow
Drums: Marty Dodson
Track 8 – Lowdown Women (Kim Wilson)
Vocals/Harmonica: Kim Wilson
Guitar: Billy Flynn
Bass: Troy Sandow
Drums: Malachi Johnson
Track 9 – Easy Baby (Samuel Maghett)
Vocals/Harmonica: Kim Wilson
Guitar & Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck
Guitar: Billy Flynn
Bass: Troy Sandow
Drums: Malachi Johnson
Track 10 – Gotta Have A Horse (Kim Wilson)
Vocals/Harmonica: Kim Wilson
Guitar: Billy Flynn
Bass: Troy Sandow
Drums: Malachi Johnson
Track 11 – Kansas City (Robert Nighthawk)
Vocals/Harmonica: Kim Wilson
Guitar: Bob Welsh
Piano: Barrelhouse Chuck
Bass: Troy Sandow
Drums: Marty Dodson
Track 12 – So Many Roads (Otis Rush)
Vocals/Harmonica: Kim Wilson
Guitar: Billy Flynn
Bass: Troy Sandow
Drums: Malachi Johnson
Key contributors:
Nathan James – mixing, mastering, production, and performance.
Billy Flynn – guitar and bass on multiple tracks.
Troy Sandow – bass on several tracks.
Marty Dodson, Malachi Johnson, Richard Innes – drums across different sessions.
Barrelhouse Chuck, Bob Welsh, Johnny Viau – piano, guitar, and horns.
The Rhythm Scratchers (Wilson’s bandmates) are highlighted for their one-take quartet recordings.
Blues Roadhouse 