Bill Blue - The King Of Crazy Town (2020) [CD Rip]

Bill Blue, yep, his real name, one of the original blues road warriors, follows up his 2013 comeback album Mojolation with another standout blues collection, The King Of Crazy Town. Bill learnt his chops on the road playing guitar with Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup, including opening for Bonnie Raitt on her first national tour.

After Arthur died in 1974, Bill went out on his own, signed with Adelphi, and for a decade toured the world extensively. Tired of the road in the ‘80s, he settled down on a houseboat in the Florida Keys and didn’t record for 25 years, until a chance meeting with with British record producer Ian Shaw led to 2013’s comeback album Mojolation.

The King Of Crazy Town, on Key West’s new Conch Town label, crackles with energy and edgy guitars, most of which were recorded live in one or two takes with the full band, topped with Bill’s authentic and gritty vocals. The album features an arsenal of top Florida artists plus ace guitarist Matt Backer, whose credits include Joe Cocker, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Elton John, Julian Lennon and Aimee Mann. Horns were recorded in New York with the Funky In The Middle Horns.

Standout tracks on the record include “Carolina Time” a tribute to Bill’s home state; “The King Of Crazy Town,” which depicts a Key West night out; and “Indianola,” which is a tribute to BB King, who encouraged Bill to go out on his own when Crudup passed. “Hunker Down” is a hurricane-season favorite in Bill’s show, and “You Ain’t Fun Anymore,” a duet with Matt Backer, was inspired by a throwaway comment made by Bill’s wife, Bev.