Silas "Milwaukee Slim" McClatcher was born 60 years ago in Holly Spring Mississippi. After years of performing with the top blues players in the midwest, he has formed his own band, The Milwaukee Slim Blues Band, which tours the area regularly.
Band members: Silas "Milwaukee Slim" McClatcher--vocals, guitar Richard Radbil- lead guitar "Blue " Rick Gerek--harmonica Brad Bill- Bass Vodie Rhinehart- drums
Blue Rick is one of the local harmonica mucisians here in Milwaukee. A good solid player. I heard him play at the James Cotton tribute here last year, and at the Wisconsin Blues Harmonica Festival a couple years back.
BC https://www.bluesharmonica.com/teacher-accreditation?page=1
Good playing...but hey, does this guy sound like Kim Wilson? I'd be curious to know what led Adam to think it could be Wilson. I know I certainly don't have ears as big as Adam Gussow, so I'd like to know what subtleties I may be missing! To my ears, his timing is good and there's some Wilson-esque phrasing in there, but he doesn't play as many double stops as Wilson, to my ears, and no way Wilson plays the somewhat cliché turnarounds that this guy does...unless he was asked to do so, or has some super-traditional approach in mind. It's really good, just not Kim Wilson, in my opinion.
Let me talk about the original for a minute. Some of you may not have heard it.
Blue Rick is copying Little Walter's powerful accompaniment to Muddy Waters' 1953 single on Chess, "Blow Wind Blow"-- Muddy and Walter in their prime. Personnel: Muddy on guitar and vocals, Walter on harmonica, Jimmy Rogers on guitar, Otis Spann on piano, Elgin Evans on drums.
I love the passion Muddy and his band bring to this song, and also love its propulsive rhythm.
Little Walter was inspired. Listen to the long, soaring notes at the beginning of his solo. Fast does not always equal good.
The other side of this single (Chess 1550) was "Mad Love", more often known as "I Want You Love Me"-- another great Muddy/Walter song with an entirely different feel; crackling with electricity.
Here's the original "Blow Wind Blow":
Cheers,
wolf kristiansen
p.s. I saw James Cotton and Matt Murphy do this song at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver in the mid '70s. They rocked. It was as good as the original.
Last Edited by wolfkristiansen on Aug 02, 2018 11:36 AM
My 2 of favorite versions of Blow Wind Blow is on the Jimmy Rogers Blues, Blues, Blues album (featuring Kim Wilson on harp) and James Cotton's Might Long Time album
Tomaxe: I heard exactly what you hear. That why I phrased it that way. Kim Wilson? I just heard a little of his flavor. I didn't think it was him, but I wasn't sure who it was.
Back to the OP, I hear Kim Wilson similarities just like Adam was hearing, particularly in the rhythmic verve and timing and some of the articulations.
Anyhow, Blue Rick Gerek sounds really good here, and I would enjoy seeing him play live.
Blue Rick will be playing with Reverend Raven at the Wisconsin Annual Blues Harmonica Festival on Friday November 16th here in Milwaukee. Link below to the event.
Blue Rick will be playing Friday, November 19th, 2021 at the Wisconsin Annual Blues Harmonica Festival!
Please see the full event details below:
David "Harmonica" Miller Presents: Wisconsin Annual Blues Harmonica Festival 2021! *Featuring the following stellar harmonica players: >WESTSIDE ANDY http://westsideandy.com/ Harp man with Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys Backed by the all-star lineup: Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys: Reverend Raven, P.T. Pedersen, and Craig Panosh. Please see also http://reverendraven.com/ >BLUE RICK https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brim Longtime harmonica player with Chess Records Legend John Brim Backed by the all-star lineup: Bill Stone, Dave Kasik, and Matt Liban. >BLUES HARP JIMMIE DAVIS https://www.facebook.com/bluesharpjimmie.davis Gifted harp man of the Sam McCue Midwest Blues All Stars Backed by the all-star lineup: Bill Stone, Dave Kasik, Matt Liban, and ?Manfred Kreuzpaintner >LIL' REV https://lilrev.com WITH MICHAEL LEE AMMONS - Lil’ Rev is a world-renowned multi-instrumentalist and touring harmonicist >PAUL MARTIN https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006489842851 Stellar harmonicist with Robert Allen Jr. Band Backed by the all-star lineup: Robert Allen Jr., Rick Holmes, and Matt Liban >DAVID "HARMONICA" MILLER https://DavidMiller.us Founder of the Wisconsin Annual Blues Harmonica Festival, President of Jazz Unlimited, guitarist, vocalist, and professional harmonicist/promoter since 1980. Backed by the all-star lineup: Robert Allen Jr., Rick Holmes, and Matt Liban *Lineup subject to change. 11/19/2021 (3rd Friday in November) Wisconsin Annual Blues Harmonica Festival 2021: 6 pm -10 pm, The Suburban Bourbon, S76W17745 Janesville Road, Muskego, Wisconsin 53150 For inquiries, please call (414) 375-9895. $10 online* or $15* when the Doors open at 5:30 pm! Advance Tickets may be purchased online on Facebook at https://facebook.com/events/2486656071592407 or on the official Eventbrite site at https://WisconsinAnnualBluesHarmonicaFestival.eventbrite.com until 5:00 pm on November 19th, 2021. Please print receipt for proof of purchase at the Door. If a printer is not available you must bring an ID to show at the Door or buy tickets in advance at one of David Miller's events for $10 each. David Miller will have a will-call list at the Door with those that payed CASH in advance prior to 5:00 pm on November 19th. >2 cash bars >Surprise raffles >Plentiful seating >Free ample parking* >All wood dance floor >Variety of food for purchase including fish fry *Parking available around 3 sides of The Suburban Bourbon (TSB) and across the street at Associated Bank lot. *If paying with a credit card at the Door, please expect delays. Credit cards are accepted AFTER 6:30 pm on the day of the show. Please note, there will be 2 lines, one for cash and online ticket sales and another line ONLY for credit card purchases. Please let us know you will be attending on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/2486656071592407 Thank You! David "Harmonica" Miller Founder of the Wisconsin Annual Blues Harmonica Festival
