Chicago Legend Cash McCall: Press

Carrying on the legacy of veteran bluesman Willie Dixon, his grandson features veteran blues singer and guitarist Cash McCall on this program of eleven songs, including classic numbers by Dixon, one by McCall and several new ones by pianist Alex Dixon, 32, grandson of the legendary Chicago bluesman. Taught by and raised by his grandfather, the pianist knows how to put together a standout blues band and how to write songs that flow from that remarkable era when Muddy Waters was king bee and Willie Dixon was recognized all over the world for his upright bass presence and his down-home blues charm.

McCall, 66, joins pianist Alex Dixon, harpist Steve Bell, guitarist Bill "Young Blood" Learned, bassist Brady Wills, drummer Vinnie Threats and several others on this tour of classic Chicago blues. He recorded for Chess Records in the 1960s and worked with the elder Dixon frequently. Thus, the memories linger on. His "Mama" features lyrics that cover a wide range of feelings that lay the foundation for paying tribute. He sings the elder Dixon's "I Just Want To Make Love To You", "I'm Ready" and "Bring It On Home" with the true spirit of one who's been there.

Alex Dixon's songs, although interpreted by McCall and the band in a classic Chicago Blues hue, bring new revelations to the scene. He honors the fathers of the blues while recasting the timeless essence in concrete terms. Through his Blues Experience, his grandfather's contributions continue to grow for generations of blues lovers around the world.

The Blues Experience with Cash McCall
"The Vintage Room"
Dixon Landing Music
BY PETER "BLEWZZMAN" LAURO, © January 2008


What a great way to start off the new year. After having our most successful and productive year ever at www.Mary4Music.com, and having reviewed and helped to promote forty five CD'S, it stands to reason that we should start off 2008 - our 10 year anniversary - with something special and exciting, like working with the kin of Blues Royalty. I'm talking about ALEX DIXON, the grand son of WILLIE DIXON, the late blues legend who had no problem telling the world "I am the blues".

On their debut CD, "THE VINTAGE ROOM", members of THE BLUES EXPERIENCE include: CASH MC CALL - with well over 30 years experience, much of it with WILLIE, on vocals and guitar; ALEX DIXON on piano; STEVE BELL - son of another late legend, CAREY BELL, on harp; BILL "YOUNG BLOOD" LEARNED and KATY J on rhythm guitars; BRADY WILLIS on bass; VINNIE THREATS on drums; JOHN RISTROM on guitar; DYLAN COOPER on upright bass.

On "THE VINTAGE ROOM", listeners shouldn't expect to experience any attempts to reinvent the blues, any attempts to reinterpret the blues or any attempts to redefine the blues....and thank God for that. What you can expect is a sincere and very successful attempt to carry on the tradition of the blues in the way that WILLIE DIXON, and many of his legendary associates, meant it to be.

"THE VINTAGE ROOM" offers eleven tracks of which ten are DIXON penned - seven by ALEX and three by WILLIE. The opening track of "HELLUVA TIME" is an ALEX original that is very reminiscent of "WANG DANG DOODLE". It's an invitation, by name, to many past and present blues legends, to come to a party where instead of "wang-dang-doodling, they'll be having a "hell-uva-time". CASH is stellar on vocals and STEVE is very impressive on harp. Good opening track.

Classic WILLIE D is up next. THE BLUES EXPERIENCE did such an admirable rendition of "I JUST WANT TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU", I'm thinking the originator of this one would feel proud of these guys.

Maybe it's just me, but another track reminding me of something gramps did is "SLICE OF THAT PIE". I could swear I hear some of "SPOONFUL" in here somewhere. This track is the first to give you a good taste of ALEX on piano. Great rhythm by BRADY and VINNIE, and more hot harp by STEVE also highlight this one.

"MAKE A FOOL OF ME" is one of several smokers on the disc. STEVE leads the jam on this one with ALEX, BRADY and VINNIE once again unrelenting on rhythm. Of course, CASH gets his licks in as well.

What kind of a tribute to WILLIE DIXON, which indeed this disc is, would it be without "I'M READY"? Well, the THE BLUES EXPERIENCE certainly agree and they certainly were ready to hit this one. The track is very short but oh so well done. CAREY - who obviously was a strong influence on his son - would be real proud of STEVE BELL on this one.

Other tracks on "THE VINTAGE ROOM " include: "GYPSY WOMAN", "CATCH ME BEFORE YOU GO", "MAMA", "BRING IT ON HOME" and a vocal and instrumental version of "ONE TOUCH".

If you're a fan of WILLIE DIXON, you'll want to grab a copy of "THE VINTAGE ROOM". Additionally, you'll want to keep your eyes and ears open for future work, be it performing or producing, by ALEX DIXON. The whole purpose of him and his wife MELISSA, forming DIXON LANDING MUSIC is to "reach out to the little known or undisclosed musician/artist and to bring back the Chicago Blues feel that his grandfather helped create." AMEN! It doesn't need to be reinvented, reinterpreted or redefined...... it just needs to be kept alive.

To learn more about THE BLUES EXPERIENCE, and the company's mission in general, shuffle on over to www.dixonlandingmusic.com and tell them you came to see what the Blewzzman's fussin' about.

THE VINTAGE ROOM
THE BLUES EXPERIENCE
with CASH MCCALL
DIXON LANDING MUSIC
HELLUVA TIME--I JUST WANT TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU--SLICE OF THAT PIE--MAKE A FOOL OF ME--GYPSY WOMAN--I'M READY--CATCH ME BEFORE I GO--MAMA--BRING IT ON HOME--ONE TOUCH--ONE TOUCH (INST.)

With the release of "The Vintage Room," Alex Dixon carries on the legacy of his legendary grandfather, Willie Dixon. Perhaps the ultimate post-WWII blues songwriter, Willie also knew how to get the most out of the artists performing his songs. Alex uses that same savvy in producing this set, and also had the good fortune of working with Cash McCall, who'd mentored under the elder Dixon back in the Chess days. Cash was already a solid vocalist and guitarist, and was a burgeoning songwriter whose relationship with Willie led to a Grammy in 1988 for the "Hidden Charms" album. This collaboration between Cash and Alex was pretty much a "natural," and "The Vintage Room" brings together originals from both men, as well as a few covers of grandad's stuff. Alex plays piano throughout, and harp duties are ably handled by Steve Bell, son of the mighty Carey Bell.
This set recaptures the spirit of those legendary Chess sessions. Cash really lets loose on the rocking "Catch Me Before I Go," then slows things down with one of his own compositions, the lilting ballad that serves as an ode to his "Mama." It is presented here in acoustic form, with stand-up bass from Dylan Cooper. Steve Bell's harp kicks off the tale of a low-down woman trying to "Make A Fool Of Me," while the stop-time of "Gypsy Woman comin' to tell your future" is guaranteed to get your mojo workin!!"
We had two favorites, too. The first, kicked off by Alex's rolling piano intro, tells us just to what lengths some folks will go to just to get "A Slice Of That Pie!" And, a man bragging to his lady that he's "got what it takes" apparently only needs "One Touch" to prove himself!!
As the leadoff cut states, whenever you listen to "The Vintage Room," you are guaranteed to have "A Helluva Time!" This is another set that is definitely...keeping the faith!! Don and Sheryl Crow.

“Chicago blues never sounded so fine. Flip the switch in Cash McCall’s Vintage Room and the light’s gonna shine on one of the most authentic Chicago blues records of the new millennium. McCall and his crack band, featuring Alex Dixon, Willie’s piano playing grandson, and Steve Bell, Carey’s harp offspring,
nicely update Grandpa Dixon’s blues classics and, at the same time, beef up grandson Alex’s modern blues tunes.”
-- Art Tipaldi, Contributing Editor Blues Revue and Blues Wax

“The Vintage Room is an engaging release from an energized group of musicians and a solid primer on Chicago blues.”
-- Dave Ruthenberg, Living Blues

"On The Vintage Room, listeners shouldn't expect to experience any attempts to reinvent the blues, any attempts to reinterpret the blues or any attempts to redefine the blues - and thank God for that. What you can expect is a sincere and very successful attempt to carry on the tradition of the blues in the way that Willie Dixon, and many of his legendary associates, meant it to be.”
-- Peter Lauro, Blues Editor, Mary4Music.com

“Dixon’s songs successfully capture the same spirit and energy of his grandfather’s compositions. McCall contributes “Mama,” a reflective soul number, and his gritty, soulful vocals are right on the mark throughout the disc, as is his guitar work. The Vintage Room is loaded with songs and performances that remind you of those legendary Chess sessions of the 50's and late 60's. They don't make them like this any more.”
-- Graham Clarke, Blues Bytes

“Alex Dixon’s songs bring new revelations to the scene. He honors the fathers of the blues while
recasting the timeless essence in concrete terms.”
-- Jim Santella, Southland Blues

“Vocally, the album belongs to McCall. His voice, all the way through, is vintage blues. He has the grit and delivers the groceries. There's nothing heavy or even really new here, just plenty of bring-it-on-home
music in one of the greatest traditions of American blues.”
-- Jim White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“The Blues Experience with Cash McCall takes it back to where the urban blues was born - on the south side of Chicago - with TLC from Chess Records legacy and pianist Alex Dixon producing. The Vintage
Room pays homage to the classic form that made the Windy City the birthplace of big city blues, served
up here with impeccable style, grace and passion.”
-- Ellis Kell, “True Blue, “Dispatch & Rock Island Argus

"They put their own stamp on the familiar Chicago blues tunes, using some different lyrics and usually
more instruments. Yet, it is done out of pure respect as Alex Dixon drives most of the arrangements and
production. Their homage comes through sincerely and infectiously."
-- Jim Hynes, WDVR, NJ

“Willie Dixon’s grand son enters the family business with a new set mixing it up with a venerable blues man and bringing the past into the present without losing any of what made it great. Having co-written with Gramps, young Alex has something special to offer blues fans everywhere. Crazy good stuff that does more to keep the legacy alive than all the law suits on its behalf ever could. This is real west side stuff, loud and proud.”
-- Chris Spector, Midwest Record Recap