Blues Is Truth in Bloomington, MN

Brownie McGhee
was 60 when
Blues Is Truth
(reissued on CD by Concord's Blues Alliance label in 1996) was recorded in White Plains, N.Y. in 1976, and the veteran bluesman was still a powerful, authoritative singer. Although not quite in a class with
McGhee's
magnificent work with
Sonny Terry
in the 1950s and '60s,
Truth
is a consistently appealing date that unites him with such solid players as guitarist
Louisana Red
(who's also an excellent singer, though he doesn't sing here), harmonica player
Sugar Blue
and pianist
Sammy Price
.
McGhee
is in fine form on everything from the lonely desperation of
"Rainy Day"
to the upbeat, party-time atmosphere of "Walk On" and sibling
Sticks McGhee's
familiar "Wine Sporty Orty." The band is quite cohesive, and
never sounds less than inspired. ~ Alex Henderson