by Scott Yanow
This brilliant effort by Carey Bell and his son Lurrie Bell, both of whom are blues legends, almost did not take place. Carey suffered a minor stroke and broke his hip, spending four months in the hospital. Three days after he left the hospital, he was on his way to Chicago to perform at a concert with Lurrie. Although still in a wheelchair, Carey is heard throughout at the peak of his powers, taking powerful and inventive harmonica solos along with most of the vocals. Lurrie's guitar work is excellent and he sings on &Baby Please Don't Go.& There are two live sessions with a rhythm section, three numbers that were recorded at Lurrie's home as intimate duets between father and son, and a solo &Stand by Me& by Lurrie Bell for his wife. This is a classic and memorable program that is highly recommended to fans of Chicago blues and Carey and Lurrie Bell. [A DVD of this set is also available.]