The Real Deal | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1995 | |||
Genre | Chicago blues | |||
Label | Code Blue/East West | |||
Producer | Mike Vernon | |||
John Primer chronology | ||||
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The Real Deal is an album by the American musician John Primer, released in 1995.[1][2] Primer supported the album with a North American tour.[3] He subsequently named his backing band the Real Deal.[4] The Real Deal was nominated for a W. C. Handy Award for best "Traditional Blues Album".[5]
The album was produced by Mike Vernon, who had signed Primer to his label.[6] Vernon thought that Primer came closest of the contemporary blues musicians to the sound of 1950s and 1960s Chicago blues.[7] Billy Branch contributed on harmonica; David Maxwell played piano.[8][9] "Good Understanding" is a cover of the Willie Dixon song.[6] "Come Back Baby" is a cover of Ray Charles's version of the tune.[10] Primer played slide guitar on "I Called My Baby".[11]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [12] |
The Buffalo News | [11] |
Chicago Tribune | [13] |
The Indianapolis Star | [10] |
MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide | [14] |
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | [15] |
Springfield News-Leader | [16] |
The Indianapolis Star praised the "simple four-piece band that shuffles, boogies, rocks and wails its way through a strong slate of songs."[10] Stereo Review wrote that Primer's "assertive voice and buoyant guitar are propelled in just the right groove" by his backing band.[17] The Chicago Tribune noted the "tough, no-nonsense swagger of his classic Chicago blues sound," writing that "Primer never wastes a note, never seems particularly eager to show off."[13]
The Springfield News-Leader determined that the album "smoothly blends contemporary and traditional blues."[16] The Richmond Times-Dispatch concluded that "the extensive guitar technique and emotive vocals are shadowed and embellished by Primer's band."[18] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said that Primer's "gritty vocals and stinging guitar carry the genuine trademark of this swaggering Chicago music."[15]
AllMusic called the album "long on intensity and devoid of pretension."[12]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Stop Draggin' That Chain Around" | |
2. | "Tomorrow Might Not Be the Same" | |
3. | "Still in Love with You" | |
4. | "Blind Man Blues" | |
5. | "How Long Will You Be Mine" | |
6. | "Good Understanding" | |
7. | "Come Back Baby" | |
8. | "Cryin' for Your Love" | |
9. | "Bad Blood" | |
10. | "I Called My Baby" | |
11. | "She Won't Gimme No Lovin'" | |
12. | "Tired and Worried" |