Eomot RaSun - Three Day's Walkin' (2000)

Three Days Walkin' is a welcome throwback to the way blues records used to be made: put 'em in a studio and let the tapes roll. This record was recorded live to two track stereo with Eomot RaSun's vocals and harmonica backed only by guitar, bass, and drums: the stripped-down template for some of the best blues to emerge in the '50s and '60s. His harmonica playing bears the strong stamp of Little Walter; it's nearly impossible for an amplified harp player to escape it. Adding to the '50s flavor is the excellent backing band of Jimmy D. Lane on guitar, Robert Stroger on bass, and the great Sam Lay on drums. Jimmy D. Lane is the son of the legendary Jimmy Rogers and spent several years in Rogers' band, learning from one of the greats. This tenure has served Lane well. He knows all the nuances of good blues playing, employing none of the flash that is so prevalent on most modern blues recordings. Although he stays in a support role throughout the album (no guitar solos, to speak of), his playing is a special treat because of his strong evocation of Chess' great past guitar players. His playing on "So Tired," in particular, is unmistakably Muddy Waters, with its slashing slide work. In addition, Sam Lay on drums is a throwback as well. He lags behind the beat a bit, and there's no treatment of the drums to give it that "rock sound" that too many blues records go for.

Seven of the ten cuts are RaSun originals, many co-written by Lane. They are strong tunes that remain close to classic blues themes. It is really the ensemble playing here that stands out; rarely does a modern blues album have such a strong feeling of decades past. Fans of blues from the '50s and '60s or the Chess sound in general should definitely seek out Three Days Walkin'. It is one of the finest examples of real Chicago blues to come out in some time, and on a debut record at that. ~Sean Westergaard