Live Top captures Perkins at the top of his game with a crack band of backing musicians (Maine's own Blue Flames), a supportive audience and the down-home blues only he can deliver.
It's safe to say that after some 60 years in music, Pinetop Perkins has never sounded better. If his fingers aren't as nimble as they once were, he's more than made up for it with a highly crafted selection of notes. And, Perkins leaves his audience with some of the richest, sweetest blues singing they're ever likely to hear.
Pinetop Perkins has reached a pinnacle in his performance with Live Top.
Produced by Randy Labbe
Executive Producer: Steve Bloch
If that's not enough to make you forget those damn guitar pickers for a while, Live Top (Deluge,***) is a dozen onstage recitations from pianist Pinetop Perkins, one of the last of the great exponents of the country derived blues keyboard tradition. And it's proof he still knows how to throw a helluva party.
Pulse!
Pine Top Perkins - Live Top
Recorded live at Bowdoin College and the Blues Plus Lounge both in Maine, Pinetop Perkins shows at his age he can still pound out that Pinetop Boogie on those ivory's. Perkins along with the Blue flames that include D.W. Gill on harmonica and back up vocals, Doug Wainoris on guitar and backup vocals, Jack Tukey on bass, Bob Noyes on drums, and Jake Isaacson who plays piano on one track and Dan Lacasse who plays harmonica on one track transports you through the classics in excellent form. Perkin's vocals have diminished somewhat but not his distinguishable piano style. He plays the piano with the best of them because, he is. The Blue Flames back Perkins superbly with great harmonica work by Gill, tight and innovative guitar work by Wainoris, and a formidable foundation by the rest of the band gives this release an old blues feel, as if this combination has been together for years (some of them have). If you like piano, Pinetop's Boogie, old blues, and the Blue Flames it is a must for your collection.
Southern Maine Blues Society
Please send any comments or corrections about this web site to <webmaster@deluge-records.com>
Last Update: June 21, 1996 12:15 PM