Jimmy Witherspoon • Roots

Review:
Jimmy Witherspoon laid out two great records in 1962 on Reprise, Spoon and this one. Roots places the great blues singer and guitarist in the company of saxophonist Ben Webster, trumpeter Gerald Wilson, and a rhythm section consisting of pianist Ernie Freeman and drummer Jim Miller. The mood is laid-back, down-home, and full of emotion and sentiment. The warmth of Witherspoon's voice on material like "Your Red Wagon," "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water," "Key to the Highway" (in one of the more unique versions ever recorded), and Jimmy Rushing's "Did You Ever" is on the other side of lonesome. Webster and Wilson underscore the sung lines with fills that accent the deep blue in Witherspoon's vocal. Jay McShann's "Confessin' the Blues" is a more jazzed-up arrangement, but Witherspoon's deep in the R&B groove here, taking a hint from Joe Turner. The finger-popping read of Turner's "It's a Low Down Dirty Shame" is in the gutbucket; the rhythm section swings hard. It's not as raucous as the original, but Witherspoon's smooth, clear, and deep register is beautifully complemented first by Wilson's solo and then by Webster's. The real stunner is near the end, when the band takes on Big Bill Broonzy's "Just a Dream," where Witherspoon wails and moans the blues. It's just chilling. This is one of those recordings that is a true hidden classic.
by Thom Jurek
https://www.allmusic.com/album/roots-mw0000508984

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Reseña:
Jimmy Witherspoon grabó dos grandes discos en 1962 en Reprise, Spoon y éste. Roots sitúa al gran cantante y guitarrista de blues en compañía del saxofonista Ben Webster, el trompetista Gerald Wilson y una sección rítmica formada por el pianista Ernie Freeman y el batería Jim Miller. El ambiente es relajado, relajado y lleno de emoción y sentimiento. La calidez de la voz de Witherspoon en material como "Your Red Wagon", "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water", "Key to the Highway" (en una de las versiones más singulares jamás grabadas), y "Did You Ever" de Jimmy Rushing está al otro lado de la soledad. Webster y Wilson subrayan los tercios con rellenos que acentúan el azul profundo de la voz de Witherspoon. "Confessin' the Blues" de Jay McShann es un arreglo más jazzístico, pero Witherspoon está muy metido en el R&B, siguiendo la pista de Joe Turner. La lectura de "It's a Low Down Dirty Shame" de Turner está en el cubo de la tripa; la sección rítmica se balancea con fuerza. No es tan estridente como el original, pero el registro suave, claro y profundo de Witherspoon se complementa maravillosamente primero con el solo de Wilson y luego con el de Webster. La verdadera sorpresa está cerca del final, cuando la banda toca "Just a Dream" de Big Bill Broonzy, donde Witherspoon llora y gime el blues. Es simplemente escalofriante. Esta es una de esas grabaciones que es un verdadero clásico oculto.
por Thom Jurek
https://www.allmusic.com/album/roots-mw0000508984


Tracks:
01. I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water (3:59)
02. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town (3:39)
03. Key To The Highway (2:57)
04. Did You Ever (3:28)
05. Confessin' The Blues (3:04)
06. Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out (2:34)
07. Your Red Wagon (5:17)
08. Rain Is Such A Lonesome Sound (3:05)
09. Cherry Red (3:19)
10. It's A Low Down Dirty Shame (3:07)
11. Just A Dream (3:03)
12. Please, Mr. Webster (3:36).

Personnel:
Jimmy Witherspoon: vocals;
Ben Webster: tenor-sax;
Gerald Wilson: trumpet;
Ernie Freeman: piano;
Herman Mitchell: guitar;
Ralph Hamilton: bass;
Jim Miller: drums.

Release: 1962
Label: Reprise Records
Total Time: 00:41:08

 

 

 

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