Big Walter Horton/Johnny Nicholas/Sugar Ray & The Bluetones
Bocce Boogie - Live 1978
Topcat (2008) TCT7082
15 tracks, 71 minutes. Excellent. Bocce Boogie - Live 1978 marks a welcome addition to the small catalog of 'live' recordings from Big Walter Horton as much as it documents a thriving blues scene on the East Coast more than three decades ago. Dating from September of 1978, Horton squares off with a bevy of young New England-based blues players including Sugar Ray Norcia, Guitar Johnny Nicholas and Ronnie Youngblood, now-known as Ronnie Earl. Horton was surely in fine form within the confines of the compact Bocce Club in Westerly, Rhode Island and the evidence is spread out over more than half of this lengthy disc. Big Walter fronts the band on the swinging instrumental, Walter's Boogie, then steps to the vocal microphone for a slow and moody Trouble In Mind, with the youngsters behind him providing tough and tender support. Nicholas takes the spotlight for the slow shuffle, Cold Chills, followed by the dark and brooding That's Why I'm Cryin' with Norcia's thick chromatic harp showering the song with everything from a light mist to torrential downpours. Ronnie's guitar is also heard to great effect here and lays a perfect backdrop for Nicholas' heartfelt vocals. The title cut, Bocce Boogie, starts off a little on the rocky side, actually fitting since Westerly rests along Rhode Island's craggy Southern coast. The instrumental settles into a comfortable groove before Walter takes a left turn with the rustling La Cucaracha. Youngblood's tasteful guitar takes the intro for Robert Nighthawk's Sweet Black Angel and his slide work respectfully nods to the master while Horton lays his soul on the line with a pleading vocal. Horton also tackles Baby Please Don't Go, Don't Get Around Much Anymore and the wrenching Hard Hearted Woman, a true masterpiece which dates back to Horton's early Post-war Chicago days. Although these proceedings were laid down on a reel-to-reel tape recorder with one microphone, the sonics are much better than one might expect. Listeners can easily hear the tight rhythm section of Houserockin' Ted Harvey and Mudcat Ward (drums and bass respectively) as well as Little Anthony Geraci's fine piano work. Big Walter Horton had what can best be described as a spotty career, but he truly enjoyed working with this gathering of young-at-the-time talent, and fans will pick up on the fun this group of friends enjoyed. While there are a few potholes scattered around here and there (a small bit of tape wobble and minor incidental microphone noise), this 'live' recording is about as real as it gets and it's packed with great blues. Enjoy!
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