a Company Man

Gary Primich's recording career has been indeed a work in progress, with his earliest efforts showing much promise with a workmanlike aura to them, with each new release heading into some mighty cool terrain, taking – as always – the path less traveled. And Company Man is certainly the most adventurous of his releases to date, taking his fine songwriting craft and huge harp tone in a multitude of directions. Needless to say, the highlights abound throughout, but most notable in passing are a pair of Smiley Lewis numbers, "Jail Bird" and "Hook, Line, and Sinker," with the former getting the jug-band romp of its life, the Big Walter-borrows-Little Walter's-band instrumental "Varmint," or the jazzy-as-hell "Ain't You Trouble." Or that eerie minor-key voodoo piece, "What's It Gonna Be," or the lowdown "Dry County Blues," which is probably the dirtiest sounding vocal Primich has ever laid down, pure gravel all the way.