CD Reviews

"Sittin’ On The Right Side Of The Blues"

Bernie Pearl

Major Label Recordings

It had been way too long since I last had the chance to hear music from Bernie Pearl. Not sure why, just missed out on his recent releases. But boy howdy, I’m thrilled that I listened in again on this newest disc, Sittin’ On The Right Side Of The Blues, because Bernie lays down some incredible guitar work that carries us on a journey over his time as a musician and the wonderful artists he worked with and played alongside. A good deal of this is documented in the title song, where he reminds us of his association with folk like Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, Lightnin' Hopkins and Mance Lipscomb among others.

Pearl first caught the blues bug while a teenager in the 50s. And in the 60s what better opportunity for an artist than to have your brother own one of the best blues & folk venues in the country, The Ash Grove in Los Angeles, where Pearl had the chance to sit in with and learn firsthand from Hopkins, Fred McDowell, John Lee Hooker, Freddie King and the like. Then there is also a radio career that he has carried on since becoming the first blues jock in L.A. in 1968 and a period working with the late Harmonica Fats that led to W.C. Handy Award (now the Blues Music Awards) nominations. For more than fifty years he has been performing the songs of his mentors and his own originals, and even as a youngster now in his early 70s, he has not lost any knack. This album is an acoustic gem. Sharp, crisp guitar that snaps and pops in all the right places; giving effervescent life to the material.

Teamed up with bass player Mike Barry and recorded live at Boulevard Music in Culver City, California on February 15, 2011, this is a wonderful performance with selections by Hopkins, McDowell, Lipscomb, Muddy Waters and Son House dishing up a tasty broth that his own self-written tunes add the meat and potatoes behind it all for such a flavorful stew you’ll be begging for more. All those years working with the greats certainly had their effect, as can be seen in his own tune “I Ain’t Hurt,” where he captures the essence of Mississippi John Hurt to a tee, or on Muddy’s “Can’t Be Satisfied” that the master himself would’ve been proud to have laid down such a remarkable take. Catchy original numbers like “I’m Up A Tree” and “Flat-Footed” flow really well and are quite memorable, too.

Shame on me for missing out on keeping up with what Bernie Pearl has been doing over the past few years. Glad that I heard this one, it has slapped me full force in the face for my oversight. Now I’ll have to go back and catch up on those I’ve missed. And for those of you who love acoustic, traditional blues, run out and pick up a copy of  Sittin’ On The Right Side Of The Blues right away. Classic!!

Total Time: 64:32

Jailhouse Blues / New Hollow Log Blues / Outside Boogie / Sittin’ On The Right Side Of The Blues / I Believe I’ll Carry My Hook / Shinin’ Moon / Shetland Pony Blues / I Just Keeps On Wanting You / I’m Up A Tree / Flat-Footed / Can’t Be Satisfied / Night Time Is The Right Time / I Ain’t Hurt / You Can Break My Heart / Shake ‘Em Down