Sam Carr's Delta Jukes

Sam Carr is a legendary Delta blues drummer, having recorded with everyone from Sonny Boy Williamson II to Buddy Guy and playing on many Fat Possum sessions. He’s best known for his partnership with Frank Frost, as the Jelly Roll Kings. The Delta Jukes were formed after Frost’s death in 1999. Joining Carr are Dave Riley, singing six cuts and contributing guitar and bass; John Weston, playing no frills harmonica to all the tracks, and adding his vocals on two cuts (Weston died shortly after his sessions were recorded in 2005); and Andrew "Shine” Turner, playing guitar and singing two songs. Producer Fred James adds a third guitar, which thickens the Jukes’ rough and tumble, ragged but right, modern electric Delta blues sound. Carr, taking two vocals and playing some guitar as well, isn’t the star of this show. That honour goes to Riley’s gritty singing, lifting the songs and making you believe he’s feeling the lyrics. The obvious fun the Jukes have playing a medley of Jimmy Reed’s classics makes it the ultimate track on this solid recording.