Yer blues

Press, 1 March 1984, Page 16

Yer blues

ALBERTA HUNTER “Looking For The Silver Lining” (CBS SBP 237988). This album is the fourth by Alberta Hunter since her return to singing. She made her debut in a Chicago club in 1909 at the age of 12, and made her first recording in 1921. The blues singer faded from the scene and was “discovered” nurse aiding in a hospital well past the age that people were supposed to retire in such an occupation. She was afraid to sing again after being “discovered” because she did not want to lose her job, but now she is a celebrity in New York at the age of 88.

“Look For The Silver Lining” shows off Hunter using a wide variety of musical styles — jazz, gospel, blues, and ballads. Her own songs are excellent. “Without Rhythm” and "Now Fm Satisfied” are gospel-inspired songs, which seem to reflect her own philosophy of life. “Black Man” is a blues song, closest to what I like Hunter doing best. She puts real zest into songs about love and sex, and this one is no exception. Her second album, “Amtrak Blues” had two songs of this type on it — an erotic interpretation of “The Darktown Strutters’ Ball” and “My Handy Man Ain’t Handy No More.”

What is disappointing about this fourth album is that there are more songs on it by the likes of Hoagy Carmichael, Jerome Kern, and George Gershwin, and not enough by’ Alberta Hunter, so that it almost borders on Willie Nelson’s “Blue Skies.” Her interpretations of these composers are good, but there are just too many. The best are the title track, which again reflects her own view of life, and “He’s Funny That Way.” There is an impression, rightly or wrongly, that some of the musical direction is out of Hunter’s hands. It would be good to see her record a stricter blues album, or one preferably with more of her own songs.

SONNY TERRY “I Think I Got The Blues” (Interfusion L 38056).

Sonny Terry is more asso-

ciated with his partner, Brownie McGhee, but on this 1981 recording he is joined by the white bluesman, Johnny Winter, plus the famous Willie Dixon on bass. In fact, it is Willie Dixon’s song, “I Think I Got The Blues” which is the title track, and probably the best song on the album. Naturally, we get Sonny Terry’s harp and holler style on “Sonny’s Whoopin’ The Doop” and “Whoee, Whoee.” But the best of the tracks are “So Tough With Me” and an arrangement by Terry and Winter of the traditional, “Crow Jane,” which they make quite simple. Produced by Winter, this album, generally, is blues at its best and for those who like this style of music then you can’t go past it. — NEVIN TOPP