Blind John Davis was one of the architects of the Chicago blues sound through his piano work in the 1930s and 1940s with such artists as
Sonny Boy Williamson and
Big Bill Broonzy, but he remained little known in the U.S., so most of the recordings from the twilight of his career were made in Europe. This pleasant set, which features vocals and piano from
Davis, with
Rob Langereis on acoustic bass and
Louis Debij on drums, is typical of his later recordings. There's enough of a Chicago feel here to give these tracks an edge, but
Davis is really most at home doing a sort of lounge blues, with hints of jazz thrown in, and his easy, comfortable manner makes it all seem as natural as breathing. Among the highlights here are his version of the old chestnut "I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate," where he sounds a bit like
Randy Newman doing a guest shot at the corner piano bar. "Boogie Woogie on Saint Louis Blues" is exactly that, a juked-up take of the
W.C. Handy classic, while a rendition of
Erskine Hawkins' "After Hours" shows
Davis' jazz chops. The rhythm section gives
Davis plenty of room, and the relaxed, back porch feel of these sessions plays to
Davis' strengths.