Kid Ramos: West Coast House Party

Kid Ramos is another guitarist who is awfully fond of retro tones and old-school phrasing. On West Coast House Party he delves into the kind of infectious jump blues popularized by California icons like T-Bone Walker, Johnny “Guitar” Watson and Pee Wee Crayton. Joining Ramos on this all-star guitar bash are Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Duke Robillard, Charlie Baty, Junior Watson, Rick Holmstrom and Zinn. Together, in various combinations, they swing their way through jump blues staples like Amos Milburn’s “House Party,” Jimmy Liggins’ “Talking That Talk,” Roy Brown’s “Love Don’t Love Nobody” and T-Bone Walker’s surging instrumental “Strollin’ With Bones.” The vocalists on these spirited tracks range from Lynwood Slim to Robert “Big Sandy” Williams, Kim Wilson, Duke Robillard and James Harman. A complement of horns-two tenors and a baritone-adds punch to this swinging house party.

Originally Published December 1, 2000