****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Lovie is another one of those spirited artists who's been lately discovered, though during his life [he died in 1997], he and his music were deeply appreciated by those in his neighborhood, where he'd shed his day clothes as an upholstery worker, don his pork-pie hat and dark shads, and become a smokin' hot blues piano man. Lovie grew up with, and in the time of the great blue's legends, being born in 1917, but never receiving a record deal until 1979, when his unique style was finally transcribed to wax, the same year he came to the attention of Muddy Waters, who signed Lovie to tour as part of his band.Lovie's story is typical of many blue's artists who think they just don't have the chops to make it on their own, perhaps not believing in themselves enough, or unable to let go of the security of a full time paying job. Never the less, the music of Mr. Lee, is pure and from the heart, he hasn't been influenced by the music industry in the manner those who've `made it' might be, so what you'll hear on this album is an honest piece of work ... and while he may be fleshing out, and just discovering his strengths and weaknesses, and attribute that full time musicians would have done much earlier, not hearing this album would be a sincere loss for your ears. I suppose the easiest way to put it would be to say that Lovie brings the essence of his live performances to this outing, thinking live first, and studio second, an aspect that's missing in much of music of today's blues productions.Lovie Lee is one of those dots, who's style and music must be connected to fully appreciate the development of early and mid-century blues. And while he may have had a brief moment in the sun as an album artist, the memory of seeing and hearing him on stage will forever resinate, and keep a mile wide smile on my face.Review by Jenell Kesler
