Vince Lee & The Big Combo (UK)
Call It What You Wanna
©Vince Lee & The Big Combo 2003
Vince Lee - Guitar/Vocals
Al Wallis - Bass
Keith Russell - Drums
There is over an hour's music on this fantastic debut album release. The Plymouth based trio consists of Vince Lee on vocals, guitars and percussion, with Al Wallis on bass and Keith Russell on drums.
Songwriters favoured are Little Willie Little John ( Early in the Morning), Jimmy Rogers, Tom Waits, Louis Jordan (two), Colin James, Jeff Turmes, Cab Calloway, Buddy Johnson, Roscoe Gordan, Larry Pindar and Johnny Guitar Watson. Four Lloyd Jones titles are covered, the last of which, surprisingly, is not overlong at nigh on eight minutes, reflecting remorsefully on how "I Broke my Baby's Heart". Vince's readings of Gary Primich's songs stand apart stylistically. "Cold Hand in Mine" is dark and along with "Dallas Texas" these two titles bring the Big Combo's sound right up to present day electric-icity.
The end of session slow ballad "I Broke my Baby's Heart" (Jones) is followed, after a slight delay, by the short yet manic bonus track "Somebody Done Hoodooed the Hoodoo Man" (Jordan). Returning periodically to their pre- rock 'n' roll touchstone sound, this seasoned trio venture into dark blues, lively r'n'b, and smooth-ish jazz. This makes it hard to call what they do, and this collection, any one thing - thus the title - yet it is rounded and coherent.
Frank Franklin - Blues in Britain Magazine
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