Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials - Full Tilt

Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials

Full Tilt

Alligator Records

Run Time: 58:59

Lil' Ed on the Web

Lil’ Ed Williams’ bloodlines run deep in the storied tradition of Chicago. Born of the musical tutelage of his uncle, Chicago slide guitar great, J.B. Hutto; Lil’ Ed carries on the houserocking, ruckus style that gave the world Hound Dog Taylor, Hutto, Elmore James, Robert Nighthawk, Earl Hooker, and many others. With a stage show that is as much a musical workout and sonic thunder as it is spectacle, Ed and his Blues Imperials have been ripping up stages for over 25 years. Did you see the Conan O’Brien show where Ed tore it up? Check YouTube for some clips. You’ll be amazed.

Ed releases his highly anticipated follow-up to multiple BMA nominated “Rattleshake” here with blunt force. Remember those early George Thorogood records that were house rocking goodness? Ed puts the Delaware Destroyer to shame among others with this tour de slide. It never lets up from start to finish. This album is 100% juke joint blues-rock adrenaline. Ed kicks it off with a sonic blues-rocker that is nothing but raw power called “Hold That Train.” The opening line hits and then Ed’s slide starts in and it nearly blew my speakers. It steamrolls on into another sonic blast on the third track that is reminiscent of Hound Dog Taylor on Red Bull and cocaine called “Don’t Call Me.” Ed and his wife Pam are the lyricists and arrangers for the majority of Ed’s discs nowadays. Check last year’s “Icicles In My Meatloaf” for a gem of a track that is bawdy, bluesy, and bold. Here there penmanship is no less entertaining. “Check My Baby’s Oil” is a slow-burning double entendre, laugh out loud riot reminiscent of the tawdry days of Jump Blues but delivered with the sexual power of Muddy Waters’ Chicago. “First I Look At the Purse” is a mixture of the riff of “Willie the Wimp” with more of Ed & Pam’s signature witty lyricism. “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” is an amped up version of Tommy Tucker’s “Hi Heel Sneakers” with different lyrics. Ed shows off his touch with timing and style as he rattles and shakes through “Life Got In the Way.” Just when you think you’ve got Ed all figured out, he rips through a funky tune like “Woman, Take A Bow.” Ed finishes off the disc after a few more ruckus workouts with one final tip of the hat to his predecessors with the stinging fire of Hound Dog Taylor’s “Take Five,” which is an ample closer that probably doubles as a set closer on the road.

The sounds here really don’t differ from any of Ed’s other discs if you’ve heard them. If you haven’t, this is a perfect introduction to Ed & the Imperials ruckus style. However, this album’s energy is very infectious and seems a lot more connected to Ed’s live sound than his previous work. Between Ed’s energy and entertaining lyrics, he’s a definite must to see live and definitely worth the price of admission here for both traditional and contemporary fans alike. One thing’s for sure, you can always see Ed at full tilt when he steps onto your stage at home or at a concert.