Tomcat Courtney: Downsville Blues

Sing Out! The Folk Song Magazine, Autumn, 2008 by Gary Von Tersch

TOMCAT COURTNEY

Downsville Blues

Blue Witch 105

At the age of 78, San Diego-based Texas country blues stylist and accomplished songwriter Tomcat Courtney makes his national debut with this project. His gritty, whiskey-soaked vocals and lean, Lightnin' Hopkins inspired guitar approach are lent skillful support by harmonica ace Bob Corritore (who also produced), guitarist Chris James and bass player Patrick Rynn with the percussion chores split between Brian Fahey and ex-Muddy Waters drummer Willie "Big Eyes" Smith.

Five selections, however, feature just Courtney and his long-time guitarist James, recalling Lowell Fulson's early duets with his brother Martin. Three Courtney originals are solidly in the laid back Hopkins tradition--"Wolf That Howls," a lively "Shake It Up Baby" and the topical title effort that was prompted by an unsettling visit to the rural Texas town Courtney grew up in and where his ragtime piano playing father once ran a juke joint. Vivid covers of Mance Lipscomb's "Meet Me In The Bottom" and Tampa Red's "Cryin' Won't Help You" prove equally impressive as the duo's instinctual fretboard chemistry amazes.

All the band tracks are inspired as well, particularly when Corritore blows his harmonica. Picks among those, all authored by Courtney, are the cleverly lyric-ed "Four Wheel Drive" (shades of Elmore James), the Hurricane Katrina-themed commentary "Disaster Blues," and a contemplative, ex-girlfriend lament titled "Railroad Avenue." A couple more would include the Jimmy Reed-ish "I'm So Glad" and a wonderfully raffish reworking of the bawdy, jug band chestnut "Bottle It Up And Go." Informative liners by Bill Dahl flesh out Courtney's biography, and a series of scattered photos complete the package. A long overdue, multi-faceted recording from one of the blues world's best-kept secrets.--GvonT