CD Review: Old School Blues
By Guest Writer
Bernie Pearl boasts an impressive history, his presence running as a thread through the progression of blues over the last fifty years. As a guitarist, Pearl has showcased the skills he perfected at his brother Ed’s legendary Ash Grove club alongside an impressive crowd of blues stars, including Big Mama Thornton and Harmonica Fats. Perhaps his most influential work, though, has been accomplished as an ambassador for the blues: DJ’ing Los Angeles’ first all blues FM radio program in 1968, booking Howlin’ Wolf and Albert King in their LA debuts, masterminding the creation of the Long Beach Blues Festival.
On Old School Blues, Pearl pays tribute to the pioneers of his beloved musical tradition with two discs consisting mostly of cover tunes. The first disc showcases Pearl’s organic guitar work on ten rather mellow acoustic tracks, with Michael Barry lending a hand on bass. Drummer Albert Trepagnier Jr. and pianist Dwayne Smith join them on the electric second disc, tackling such classics as Lightnin’ Sam Hopkins’ “Automobile Blues” and Albert King’s “Crosscut Saw.” The album was recorded with a minimalist production strategy, allowing both sets of songs to sound raw, live, and intimate. The musicians display their proficiency and passion throughout, although Pearl’s voice seems too pleasant for the blues, lacking the grit to drive these songs home. Yet despite its faults, Old School Blues is a well-deserved indulgence from a man who has kept the heart of blues beating for decades.
Written by Alex Goodman
