May 1999

Furry Lewis
Blues Magician
Lucky 7/Rounder

By Bill Milkowski

Magician (Lucky 7/Rounder 9206; 40:47) - volume two of an impromptu performance by the Memphis bluesman in the privacy of his own, recorded on March 5, 1969 near Fourth and Beale Streets. As the notes indicate, Furry performed with his guitar, in bed, leg off; James Cotton, Late Night Blues (Just a Memory 9140-2; 51:02) - more live tracks from the New Penelope Cafe in Montreal, circa 1967. New drummer Francis Clay is a ham-fisted groove-killer and the sound quality is inferior. Not much to recommend here, other than the playing of guitarist Luther Tucker, who stings with nasty intentions while engaging in some heated exchanges with Cotton on classics like "Honky Tonk," "Black Night," "Feelin' Good," "Rock Me Baby," and "Rocket 88."