Confessions of a Fanboy

I was all set to listen to some Muddy Waters this morning and even started listening to the Complete Chess Masters Vol. 2 when I came across the news that today is blues legend Charlie Musselwhite’s 64th birthday. That changes everything then, doesn’t it?

I knew the name Charlie Musselwhite before last year but I guess I discovered his music last year when I did my big BMA coverage. Speaking of which, I guess I’ve really dropped the ball on that this year. I don’t know what it is; I guess I’m just feeling a little drained right now and haven’t had the time to track down those releases and properly listen to them. Anyway, last year I did a ton of coverage about the BMAs and Charlie Musselwhite’s Delta Hardware album was heavily nominated (and ultimately honored) at the BMA ceremony. I voted for it in the Album of the Year category and it won. It’s an amazing piece of work and one of the best blues records I own.

Because I loved that record so much I started listening to some of his earlier records. Delta Hardware’s predecessor, Sanctuary, is almost as great. My favorite song on Sanctuary is called “The Neighborhood.” Charlie Sexton wrote it and does a great harmony vocal. It’s a spectacular song and features none of Musselwhite’s signature harmonica work. Even without his great harp, that song has an incredible vibe to it and I just can’t listen to it enough times. That’s why I started with Delta Hardware this morning. If I’d started with Sanctuary I’d just end up repeating “The Neighborhood” all morning and afternoon.

After those two, assuming I can stop playing “The Neighborhood,” I’m going to have to queue up his debut.

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