Little Joe Washington

Houston Guitar Blues (Dialtone)

“Monophonic” in headline-sized type on the back of Houston Guitar Blues only partly explains the magic atmospherics of this 80-year-old Third Ward bluesman’s 2009 release now issued on vinyl. The way the bass sucks in all the low tones then coats everything in ancient analog warmth defines classic swamp sounds of a half-century ago. Washington’s wiry, clawing tenor on opener “I Feel Alright” echoes Van Morrison leading Them. That he’s also a pianist accounts for these estuary blues, particularly the urban (guitar) sting and (keyboard) tickle of “Take My Hand.” The pair of instrumentals closing the first side are as lean and motoring as a Thunderbird coupe. Side B picks up where the other half left off, waltzing plea “Someone Loves Me” doing its best R&B. When Washington stretches out, finally on closer “How Long,” the guitar becomes a viscous ring that his Stax vocal edge squeegees. Back to mono.

***.5

This article appears in October 22 • 2010.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US

San Francisco native Raoul Hernandez crossed the border into Texas on July 2, 1992, and began writing about music for the Chronicle that fall, debuting with an album review of Keith Richards’ Main Offender. By virtue of local show previews – first “Recommendeds,” now calendar picks – his writing’s appeared in almost every issue since 1993.