Album, Single and EP Reviews


 

 

  Heads Up by Li'l Ed & the Blues Imperials


Heads Up cover art

Artist: Li'l Ed & the Blues Imperials
Title: Heads Up
Catalogue Number: Alligator ALCD4886
Review Format: CD
Release Year: 2002



Turn the volume up and keep your head out of the way of the speakers otherwise you might just lose it!  Lil' Ed and the boys are back in town and in storming form on this release.  This is red hot, fired up Chicago blues from one of the best in the business.  Don't think they're one dimensional though; they also have a couple of fine ballads in the set so you can get your breath back.


Ed hits the ground running with the opening track "Woman In The Castle", rabble-rousing slide guitar blues to a thumping beat - if this one doesn't get you going we suggest you check your pulse!  "Never Miss Your Water" and "My Mind Is Gone" are in a similar vein and only slightly less restrained. Of the slower paced tracks "Four Leaf Clover" has an excellent deep blues sound; however the soulful passion of "I Still Love You" makes it too close to call an outright winner in this category.  The mid tempo "Computer Girl" is a bit more tongue-in-cheek with a great closing line "you'd better close that laptop up and open up your lap baby"! 


If you like the blues to be raw, deep and no nonsense then this is for you.  And if you don't, then you should check it out anyway - you might just like it.


www.alligator.com
Reviewer:
Review Date: June 22 2007