Shake My Hand
Right from its breath-catching opener--77-year-old Pryor singing and playing the title number all alone--this is a terrific dose of raw, old-style Chicago blues. This pioneer of amplified harp still has absolute command of tone and technique, plus a voice that waves the tatters of time like a battle flag. The material ain't fresh: "Work With Me Annie," "Pistol Packin' Mama," "My Bag," and Pryor's own 50-year-old "Telephone Blues" are in the fold. But the flavor's right thanks to Snooky's muscular delivery and the spare focus of his bone-naked backing trio. Skeptics need only check the last chorus of "Tomorrow Night" and all of "Telephone Blues" to allay doubts of Pryor's vigor or his ability to wring every drop of rich, red blood from his lyrics. This is blues with heart and soul.--Ted Drozdowski