Jimi Bott
Cheap Thrills
(Roseleaf)
\Jimi Bott has wisely taken the initiative to release this high-powered
set of "hidden treasures", clandestinely recorded (and, in some instances,
enhanced) by various people at live performances over the last 20 years. Unless you were
already a hard-core fan of The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Rod Piazza & The Mighty
Flyers, you probably aren't familiar with this drummer's name. With the release of Cheap
Thrills, that will surely change. He is indeed one kick-ass drummer!
The CD gets right down to business with a slightly scratchy, full-tilt
boogie shuffle called "The Eliminator", performed by Rod Piazza & The Mighty
Flyers, from their own repertoire of originals. The furiously improvised harmonica leads
would have challenged many a rhythm section, but Bott and company were up to it. A tad
more bass in the mix would have touched it up nicely.
Following that is Roscoe Gordon's more laid-back, but certainly not
musically idle "That's What You Do to Me" (one of only a few songs containing
vocals). It is performed on guitar and sang by Junior Watson.
The ensuing guitar-crazy version of Henry Mancini's classic "Peter Gunn" is one
you won't soon forget. The emphasis here is on lead rather than bass guitar, and Luther
Tucker is the guitar maniac in question. Harp-honcho Mark Hummel and his Blues Survivors,
guitarist Pat "Guitar Slim" Chase and bassist Tim Wagar, complete this
almost-7-minute masterpiece. It's a stand-out performance, but I would have a lot of
difficulty picking a favorite among the many virtuoso guitarists on this CD.
A most pleasant surprise for me was becoming acquainted with keyboardist Miss Honey
(Piazza). She is featured on several tracks, most impressively on a Jack Fina/Kim Fowley
medley called "The Bumble Boogie/The Nutrocker".
The blues are rocked up good and heavy on Jimi's brand-new composition,
with The Fabulous Thunderbirds' Kim Wilson on vocals, Kid Ramos on guitar, Gene Taylor on
piano, Willie J. Campbell on bass and Jimi on drums.
While Jimi admits to a bit of self-indulgent pride regarding his
extended staccato smackdown, "Tribute to Gene, Buddy and Louie" (referring to
Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich and the lesser-known Louie Belson), there is no denying this
prodigy long ago reached a level of expertise on par with his idols. The final outro
minute is worth the price of the CD itself.
Cheap Thrills is so very much more than that - it's a testament to Joplin's adage,
"Get It While You Can".
- Diane Wells -
Southwest Blues CD Review - May 2005
Current Reviews - 2005 Reviews - available at our store
