Meade Lux Lewis: Tidal Boogie

The contents of this short-playing CD also appeared on Tops and Storyville LPs with (according to the discographies) six additional tracks. It’s a weirdo in other respects, too. Lewis plays a tack piano (thumbtacks on the hammers), which gives a jangling sound once apparently thought appropriate to high times in barrelhouses-pubs, that is, where beer used to be drawn straight from barrels ranged behind the bar.

Lewis is accompanied by an unidentified guitarist, who enters into the spirit of the thing unpretentiously. Nothing spectacular happens as bassist Red Callender helps keep them steadily on course. Lewis shows he knew a lot of tunes besides the blues staples of his boogie repertoire.

Originally Published April 1, 1997