• NEWS
  • REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEOS

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from Blues Scene about music & art.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About J.J. Cale

January 26, 2023

Listen: Colemine Records to Posthumously Release Fred Davis LP, ‘Cleveland Blues’

January 26, 2023

Host Tim White Discusses ‘Song of the Mountains’ TV Show, PBS Program Focusing on Bluegrass Origins in Marion, Virginia

January 25, 2023

The BluesBones Premiere Video for ‘Chain Gang,’ the First Single off New Album

January 25, 2023
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Facebook Twitter Instagram Vimeo
American Blues SceneAmerican Blues Scene
  • NEWS
  • REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEOS
American Blues SceneAmerican Blues Scene
Home»Reviews»Horns & Funk — The Big Payback from Big James & the Chicago Playboys
Reviews

Horns & Funk — The Big Payback from Big James & the Chicago Playboys

Matt MarshallBy Matt MarshallFebruary 6, 2012Updated:April 9, 20201 Comment3 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email VKontakte WhatsApp
Big James and the Chicago Playboys - The Big Payback
Big James and the Chicago Playboys - The Big Payback
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
Big James and the Chicago Playboys - The Big Payback
Big James and the Chicago Playboys - The Big Payback

Big James and the Chicago Playboys‘ album The Big Payback, due out tomorrow through the prolific Blind Pig label is a full helping of horn-driven funk and blues. “I been around the world… goin’ from town to town singin’ these funky blues and I love it!” bellows Big James on the first track, live from Paris, France. The band is tight, the music is hot, and the horns are heavy.

The band boldly titles the album after a James Brown track, “The Big Payback”, which makes a statement about the strength of the band’s funk abilities. Fortunately, the title track doesn’t disappoint as the Playboys dish out a serious helping of funk. “All Your Love”, a track pend and made famous by the late, great Magic Sam, is a great Chicago shuffle, and Big James’ vocals are wonderfully suited to the track. “Low Down Dirty Blues” is one of two original songs penned by James. “Dirty Blues” lays down the blues as only a Chicago band can. The end track, an instrumental cover of “Smoke on the Water” was a bit of a shock in the soul, blues, and funk-driven record. The band quickly owns it as Mike “Money” Wheeler’s stinging guitar, followed by the powering horn section. It was a fitting chance for the band to have some fun and give a two and a half minute showcase, though it was in slightly odd company with the rest of the tracks. However, the way the crowd exploded when they played the first seven notes might speak otherwise.

Overall, this album is a great an energetic performance, showing the well-honed band’s skills and bringing a unique blend of fine entertaining music. The Chicago Playboys are a horn-based, soul-driven funk band in the truest sense of the word, with trombone, trumpet, and bass guitar taking front-and-center stage. The soul styling of Money Wheeler on the guitar helps out round out the soul, and Big James’ smokey vocals brings the blues. James on trombone with Charles “Richard” Pryor on trumpet create a tight, hot brass section. Larry “L-Dub” Williams is a skilled funk bassist — arguably one of the most important factors in a successful funk band. Joe “Goldie” Blocker takes the keyboards and Cleo Cole tears up the skins. The band is the perfect size — just large enough to sound fat and just small enough to keep from sounding too busy.

Pick up a copy of Big James and the Chicago Playboys The Big Payback at Blind Pig Records

Album Review Big James James Brown The Big Payback The Chicago Playboys
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp
Previous ArticleBlues in Turkey — an Interview with Öncü GreyWolf
Next Article The WIRED! Band wins the International Blues Challenge
Matt Marshall
  • Website

Matt Marshall is the publisher of American Blues Scene Magazine and owns Bluescentric.com the shop for Blues, Soul, and Rock n Roll -- authentic music t-shirts where every sale pays artist's estates directly.

Related Posts

Sweet Soul Music: Thee Sacred Souls and Jalen Ngonda Deliver the Goods in Chicago

January 23, 2023

UK’s Sean Taylor Band Releases Debut Live Album

January 18, 2023

Jarrod Dickenson (ft. The Wood Brothers) Embraces Authenticity, Freedom on Upcoming Album ‘Big Talk’

January 10, 2023

England’s Top 10 Blues Tracks Of 2022

December 19, 2022

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Advertisment
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • Videos
  • About

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.