Jimmy
T99 Nelson
The Legend
Nettie Marie 002
Jimmy Nelson
has had a long, illustrious career that shows no signs of going away. He started out being
booked for many of the package deals that passed for shows in the early 50s. In New York
at the Apollo, he was booked along with The Roy Milton Band. He signed on with the
Drifters in Atlanta, and had shows at the Dew Drop Inn in New Orleans and Slim Jenkins
Club on 7th Street in Oakland, California.
Jimmy T99
Nelson is one of the founding fathers of the West Oakland 7th Street Blues groups. He has
toured with Joe Liggins, Bill and Johnny Hodges and others. During the early years, he has
played alongside Big Joe Turner, Ivory Joe Hunter and Lowell Fulson. 1951 was the year
that Jimmy made his breakthrough and recorded his T-99 Blues session. Afterwards, he was
known as Jimmy T99 Nelson.
Through the
years, Jimmy has had a pretty solid following for his brand of West Coast Blues. A very
talented individual, he has recorded throughout his career. Possibly his best known work
is from 1951-1961 and can be heard on an ACE reissue Cry Hard Luck on the RPM/Kent label
released in 2004. Belonging to that group called "blues shouters" he has a loud;
distinguishing voice. In 1999, he released Rockin' and Shoutin' The Blues on Bullseye
Records.
On his own
label called Nettie Marie, he released Take Your Pick to good reviews and now The Legend.
He has recorded with Duke Robillard, Sax Gordon, Doug James and Matt McCabe, among others.
Recorded live
at Duke's Mood Room in November of 2004, Jimmy and his voice are in rare form, with a
crack band on horns, piano, bass and drums.
The Legend is
comprised of 11 tracks of which Jimmy has written the lion's share. It starts off with
"The Devil's Sending Up A Blessing To You" a swinging, jumping tune comprised of
Matt McCabe's great piano as well as Duke Robillard doing his superb guitar thing. Next up
is "Help Me" a Willie Dixon tune that flirts with a bit of windy city blues and
an uncredited harp. There is also a bit of call and response with his band as well.
"Sleepy Time Down South" is a slow tune that takes advantage of piano, horns and
Jimmy's voice. "My Country Woman" is a rollicking, danceable tune that gives the
horns a light workout with Jimmy's buttered soul vocals. As this collection repeatedly
shows, Matt McCabe and the horns of Sax Gordon and Doug James add tremendously to the good
grooves on this set. "I'm Sick and Tired Of You" is a message to a lady who
needs to stay gone, Duke Robillard's guitar is up front and tasteful as usual. "One
Step At A Time" is a song about marriage and how to keep it working. "Be Knowing
What I Got To Do" is a harp driven ode to the 'outside woman'. "Sunrise
Blues" is a jumpy little tune about the day after a drunk, and finally "Still In
Love" brings this great disc to a satisfying end.
I can't say
enough about this great disc. Jimmy T99 Nelson just keeps getting better and better as he
gets older. A true blues port of the first order. This one may be a little harder to get a
hold of, but do so by all means. Take it from Big Daddy and get this one. It is on my 2005
best of list.
- Big Daddy Hal -
Southwest Blues CD Review - September 2005
Current Reviews - 2005 Reviews
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