For the unacquainted, it's better to know the players involved to fully understand the music of the Siegel-Schwall Band. Though not as renowned in all circles, the predominantly white band was brewing Chicago-style blues at just about the same time the Paul Butterfield Blues Band was doing it. They opened for the likes of Quicksilver Messenger Service in the '60s, played the Fillmore West, and were an omnipresent force in '70s Chicago.

Formed in the mid-'60s by harpist Corky Siegel and guitarist Jim Schwall, their self-titled first album was released in 1966. They were known for amazing covers such as Jimmy Reed's 'Going To New York' and Howlin' Wolf's 'Shake For Me', among titles of their own, like Corky Siegel's 'Angel Food Cake' and Jim Schwall's 'You Don't Love Me Like That'.

Flash Forward is the Siegel-Schwall Band's first studio release in thirty years, marking it a milestone for fans, to say the least. The lineup is still Siegel and Schwall, along with longtime bassist, Rollo Radford, who joined the band in the early seventies. Add in former Howlin Wolf and Paul Butterfield drummer, Sam Lay, and you've got the 'Flash Forward' version of the Siegel-Schwall Band.

It's an interesting and diverse blues album. Sam Lay modifies the band's style a bit with his brisk shuffle drumming, which adds to the sanguine atmosphere their music always incites. Many of the lyrics are quite humorous, and very catchy, as the opener tells, 'I'm afraid of love, but only a little afraid of you', or as in Deja Vous, 'I don't know if it's deja vous, or just my imagination running away with you ... Is that you, doin' the voodoo, or just my imagination running away with you?' 'The Underqualified Blues' is a political pun about the position of Commander in Chief, done in a Muddy Waters 'Hoochie Coochie' style. 'On The Road' is contemporary and political in a humorous way as well, with reference to driving a Geo Metro.

Jim Schwall is superb on 6-string and 12-string guitar, mandolin as well. His style is free-floating and mellow, yet diverse and competent. Listen to his sweet notes on 'Pauline'. He also gets intense when he wants to, as 'Rumors of Long Tall Sally' is downright dirty and gritty. Corky Siegel's harp playing is amazing throughout. Marcy Levy, known for her vocal work with Eric Clapton, sings backup on four of the CDs thirteen cuts. Though all four members sing lead, and exhibit ability far from perfection, it's suitable for their sluggish lyrical technique. A Chicago blues style all their own, it flows off in varied tangents as well: New Orleans, zydeco, country-folk, shuffle, boogie-woogie, and more. A lot of influences show, too, like Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, Howlin' Wolf, and so on.

Though it may not be for everyone, true blues fans, especially Siegel-Schwall fans of old, will love the laidback, smooth, and genuine blues songs on Flash Forward. It's a blues collage, proving to all that they're a very different and innovative band.

Flash Forward

1. Afraid Of Love
2. Deja Vous
3. Going Back To Alabama
4. The Underqualified Blues
5. Krazy
6. Can't Stop
7. On The Road
8. Twisted
9. Rumors Of Long Tall Sally
10. Hey Leviticus
11. Sweet Liz
12. Pauline
13. Stormy Weather Love

Corky Siegel: harmonica, piano & vocals
Jim Schwall: guitar, mandolin, 12-string guitar, accordion & vocals
Rollo Radford: electric and upright bass, vocals
Sam Lay: drums and vocals (guitar and vocals on 'Stormy Weather Love'

Marcy Levy: background vocals
Produced by Corky and Holly Siegel
Co-produced and Mixed by Ken Goerres
Engineered by Corky Siegel
Additional Ears for Final Mixes: Bruce Iglauer

Alligator Records - August 16 2005

Links

The Siegel-Schwall Blues Band
Alligator Records
Fast Forward on Amazon.com