Eddy Surmont

A celebrity of some importance in France, Eddy Mitchell began his career in the late '50 with the rock & roll group Les Chaussettes Noires ("the Black Socks"). Mitchell went solo after a few hits with the group in the early '60s, and over the ensuing decades embraced several styles of American music.

Eddy Clearwater delivers on the promise of this set's title on his best concert recording to date, recorded at a couple of Indiana nightspots. Those enduring (and endearing) Berry roots surface anew on a storming medley of "A Real Good Time" and "Cool Water," and there are more '50s-style rockers in "Hi-Yo Silver" and "Party at My House." But he exhibits a social conscience on the decided departure "Tear Down the Wall of Hate."

On this CD are 2 Chicago Blues legends presented: Eddie "Chief" Clearwater and Carey Bell.
Once dismissed by purists as a Chuck Berry imitator (and an accurate one at that), tall, lean, and lanky Chicago southpaw Eddy Clearwater became recognized as a prime progenitor of West Side-style blues guitar. That's not to say he wouldn't liven up a gig with a little duck-walking or a frat party rendition of "Shout"; after all, Clearwater brought a wide array of influences to the party. Gospel, country, '50s rock, and deep-down blues were all incorporated into his slashing guitar attack. But when he put his mind to it, "The Chief" (a nickname accrued from his penchant for donning Native American headdresses on-stage) was one of the Windy City's finest bluesmen…

Clearwater wrote the lion's share of this well-produced collection, reaching back for material by Jimmy Reed, Otis Rush, and Willie Mabon to round it out. The usual infectious mix of shimmering West Side blues, hauling rockabilly, and even a touch of funk on "Little Bit of Blues." Guitarist Will Crosby shares lead chores with his boss, and Carey Bell (Eddy's cousin) handles the harp work.

Here you'll find great studio recordings - "Chicago Daily Blues" and "Came up the hard Way". Special bonus tracks on this CD were recorded in the Kingston Mines nightclub in Chicago on a trip in 1977.
Once dismissed by purists as a Chuck Berry imitator (and an accurate one at that), tall, lean, and lanky Chicago southpaw Eddy Clearwater became recognized as a prime progenitor of West Side-style blues guitar. That's not to say he wouldn't liven up a gig with a little duck-walking or a frat party rendition of "Shout"; after all, Clearwater brought a wide array of influences to the party. Gospel, country, '50s rock, and deep-down blues were all incorporated into his slashing guitar attack. But when he put his mind to it, "The Chief" (a nickname accrued from his penchant for donning Native American headdresses on-stage) was one of the Windy City's finest bluesmen.