A singer songwriter based in Chicago, USA, Terry Blade has just come to our attention through his ethnographic blues album, Chicago Kinfolk: The Juke Joint Blues.
By Graeme Smith
The album honours some of the pioneers of the Chicago blues scene, including Theresa Needham, Muddy Waters Jr., Jimmy Walker, Lefty Dizz, and Willie Monroe through original songs written, performed and recorded by Terry. There is one cover, a rendition of a song originally recorded by Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup in Chicago in 1946. It also looks back at the decades with excerpts from interviews with Chicago musicians from 1977.
There are ten tracks in total, starting with the lively, punchy Gettin’ Tired of You and ending with the mournful, atmospheric Fallen Sons. Tell ‘Em is slow and full of longing. Be Around No More burns with a defiant fire. That’s Alright is a stripped-back, laidback moment. The interviews are interspersed between the compositions, meaning they blend in beautifully.
Terry’s new album is such an interesting collection, both revering and revealing Chicago’s blues history. I, personally, found it an eye opener, and his use of captured audio feels astute. It resurrects the legends to which has devoted the album, giving them a voice that echoes through the ages.
Chicago Kinfolk is out now and you can give it a listen below.