JOE KROWN-RUSSELL BATISTE JR.- WALTER "WOLFMAN" WASHINGTON
"Triple Threat"
Self-release

You've got to hand it to Joe Krown who now has the elite distinction of recording and touring with two Louisiana greats, first with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, and now with Walter "Wolfman" Washington. The second recording by this Joe Krown Trio is a studio recording captured at the Music Shed in New Orleans. All in all twelve tracks are included, 70-plus minutes, alternating five (Washington) vocal tunes and seven instrumentals. Either Krown, Batiste, or Washington authored all but three; two are collaborative efforts by the three featured artists.

Washington’s snappy "Only You" has the band in full synch; his vocals and lyrics are sharp, Krown takes the first solo, and his bass-lines are solid, finally Washington takes it out with a dazzling guitar solo. Krown’s instrumental "Down By The River" (not Neil Young's) is soulful funk with Batiste’s in the pocket playing. The trio covers down home blues on George Jackson’s "Last Two Dollars" The only clunker here is a cover of Ed Townsend’s (singer and producer for the Impressions) "For Your Love." Batiste’s funky instrumental "Twelve" could have easily been recorded by the Meters. Washington revisits his "Out Of The Dark" which is vocally just okay, but he nails the guitar solo. There's a solid "Can I Change My Mind" (made popular by Tyrone Davis) where Washington is thoroughly in his comfort zone nailing this classic. The two trio collaborative instrumentals "Triple Threat" and the closing "Spirit Of The Wolf" are welcomed additions showing off the intuitive musicianship of each artist.

Bob Putignano a senior contributing editor at BluesWax. He is also the heart of Sounds of Blues at www.SoundsofBlue.com. Bob maybe contacted at: bob8003@yahoo.com

Bob Putignano: www.SoundsofBlue.com