The James Solberg Band - See That My Grave Is Kept Clean (1995)

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See That My Blues Is Kept Clean

This is the story of the sideman who got close to match his mentor-leader. The leader was the late Chicago blues legend Luther Allison, the sideman is James Solberg. Both men worked closely together for a long time, first from 1975 to 1979 when Allison decided to expatriate in France, then from 1993, when Allison came back in his home country, to his death in 1997.

Not only Solberg and his group were Allison's regular touring band, but this talented guitarist also co-wrote much of the Allison's repertoire during these periods and brought his skills as arranger and producer. In the second chapter of their collaboration, both musicians released three albums considered by many as the best Chicago blues albums of the 1990s : “Soul Fixin’ Man” (1994, also released as “Bad Love), “Blue Streak” (1995), and “Reckless” (1997).

Between his two stretches of work with Allison, he played and toured with many blues musicians and bands among whom John Lee Hooker, the Legendary Blues Band, the Nighthawks, Elvin Bishop...

During their second collaboration with Allison, Solberg and his band released their first album, “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean”, in 1995. For a first opus, it was a master strike, collecting numerous praise and acclaims. After their second opus,“One of These Days” (1996), the group won the W.C. Handy Award for Blues Band of the Year in 1997.

Solberg used his multiple talents on this first album : guitarist, songwriter, arranger, producer. In addition to four of his own songs (one co-written with Allison), he chose a nice collection of songs to cover and skillfully worked to revisit them. All the guitar playing he held back to leave the front place to his leader, he let it pour out without restraint but always with taste and subtlety.

Alternative cover of the album

The other outstanding feature of the album is the funky organ (H-Bomb Vegas, Ken Faltinson ?) giving the album a special churchy flavor matching perfectly the cemetery atmosphere of the CD cover. A brilliant idea ! Although all songs aren't totally even in terms of musical quality, their arrangements, and especially the refined job on the sonic texture of each instrument, make this album a rare treat.

On some releases the album opens with the title track, Blind Lemon Jefferson's “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean” . On this version “Bad Love” is the opening number, a nice homage to his mentor with whom he co-wrote it. “Cry For Me Baby”, written by famous Chicago song-writer, producer and recording label owner Mel London, has a kind of country blues twist due to Solberg slide guitar and to the acoustic piano.

The deep electric revisit of Blind Lemon Jefferson's “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean”, with its obsessive organ line, solid beat, and Solberg tortured guitar and rasping vocals, has transformed it into a piece of authentic Chicago blues. The song is hardly recognizable at first listen and surely woke up acoustic bluesman Jefferson in his tomb ! One of the great moments of the album.

“Ain't Nobody's Business” (Everett Robbins/Porter Grainger) is a rather classic number, not the best piece on the album but fortunately it's followed by a catchy funky version of Junior Wells' “Snatch It Back And Hold It” where the organ contributes as much to the groove as the bass and drums. Another stand-out.

Solberg's composition “Somebody Give Me A Guitar” is followed by the other great highlight of the album. “St. James Infirmary Blues” (a Joe Primrose ultra standard) is indeed another outstanding achievement : it has been covered so many times by so many artists from so many musical horizons that attempting to come out with an appealing new version seems to be a dangerous trap ! Not only Solberg didn't fall in it, but on the contrary he proposes a really original and exciting interpretation that preserves the poignant character of the song.

Difficult also to measure with the great Buddy Guy on his “Man Of Many Words”, but there again Solberg is managing well, particularly thanks to a great piece of organ on which he puts a coat of distorted guitar. Fine rasping vocal texture on Walter Jacobs' “Everything's Gonna Be Alright”, again with the irresistible organ. On his own very churchy “Jimmy's Blues”, Solberg melodic composition has a clear Clapton touch, while “Baby, When Ya Comin' Back”, another self-written song, is grooving nicely.

The last track, “Let's Straighten It Out” (Benny Latimore), is another stand-out. Delivered in a melancholic atmosphere, enhanced by the organ again, Solberg puts out a piece of inspired guitar. Too bad it's not longer !

Altogether, a very appealing work. What else could we expect from a talented and veteran blues musician who was “raised” by such a legend as Luther Allison ! Probably a must of any decent blues collection. ■

► Who wrote what

- “Bad Love”: James Solberg-Luther Allison
- “Cry For Me Baby”: Mel London
- “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean”: Blind Lemon Jefferson
- “Ain't Nobody's Business”: Everett Robbins-Porter Grainger
- “Snatch It Back And Hold It”: Junior Wells
- “Somebody Give Me A Guitar”: James Solberg
- “St. James Infirmary Blues”: Joe Primrose
- “Man Of Many Words”: Buddy Guy
- “Everything's Gonna Be Alright”: Walter Jacobs
- “Jimmy's Blues”: James Solberg
- “Baby, When Ya Comin' Back”: James Solberg
- “Let's Straighten It Out”: Benny Latimore

Solberg (left) and Allison

Live videos... are better than long speeches
►The sideman
● With Luther Allison, Beale Street Music Festival, Memphis :
→ 1996 : https://youtu.be/Bzj7oiF6aTg
→ 1997 : https://youtu.be/RXGrL-fBzsk
● With Luther Allison, King Biscuit Blues Festival, Helena, Arkansas, 1996 : https://youtu.be/TDWDgw_brX4
● With Luther Allison in Montreal on “Watching You” : https://youtu.be/PV8WJq6YweE
● With Son Seals, Pennsylvania, 2000 : https://youtu.be/EbSU_MiEDYw

► The band leader (the ONLY video on YT !)
● The James Solberg Band, Black Diamond Club, Beale St, Memphis, 1998 : https://youtu.be/1Ue-IB6k41A

Alternative back cover: a cemetary...