Mighty Joe Young
The late Chicago stalwart Mighty Joe Young was never apologetic about the funk foundation of his blues approach, and the soulful success of the songs on this compilation certainly needs no apology. Young made his name in the Windy City, beginning with a stint asOtis Rush's rhythm guitarist, but he never lost his Louisiana roots. His Shreveport soul stylings are enjoyably spotlighted via a dozen tunes drawn from two long out of print Ovation releases from the mid-'70s. Ten of the songs are Young originals, and the other two are genuine gems. Young's rendition of the classic blues ballad "As the Years Go Passing By" falls somewhere between theAlbert KingandBobby "Blue" Blandversions, and that's a high-quality blues neighborhood. But it's onBobby Rush's "Chicken Heads," the title track of Young's most accomplished album, that the full glory of his Southern-flavored funk approach emerges. Young expands the groove on the punchy "Take My Advice (She Likes Blues and Barbecue)," exhibits some stingingFreddie Kingguitar lines on "Need a Friend," and conjures Crescent City sensibilities on "I Give" and "New Orleans Women." He even makes a foray into smoother, almost Motown soul with "Green Light" to present as well-rounded a soul-blues overview as can be imagined.--Michael Point