There’s no need to tell me that the Dutch roots & blues formation Champagne Charlie is capable of the greatest things and I’m an intense fan of this band. They’ve brought out brilliant CD’s before (i.e.’Down The Road’ and ‘Mr. Charlie’s Blues’). Out now is their latest work ‘Waitin’ On Roosevelt’. A title that should ring a bell for most of us. Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s ancestors are from Oud-Vossemeer on the island Tholen in Zeeland (NL). At the same time FDR with his four periods in office is without a doubt one of the most popular presidents the USA has ever known. This CD, which came about by order of the Roosevelt Study Centre and the Roosevelt Foundation, contains 21 songs and from the point of view of Afro-American- and white folk musicians, they’re telling Roosevelt’s life story. So no classic blues CD, but music that one way or another comes close to it, i.e: zydeco, jug-band music, hokum, skiffle, oldtime-country, Western swing, etc. All-in-all a mix of styles that suit Champagne Charlie down to a T. Actually, this CD is a lot more than just an album with songs dedicated to Roosevelt. It’s a unique document, a kind of tribute to the uncountable blues and ‘old time’ country artists from the 1930-1940’s. Champagne Charlie who’s been about for the past twenty years has shown what they’re made off with this album. Describing every number in detail is just too much, also because I don’t have any favourite songs. What I can tell you is that every track, from beginning to end, done with so much dedication and professionalism, you’re forever asking yourself if you’re dealing with an American band. Here’s a few gems: Slim Smitch’s swinging ‘Breadline Blues’, the work song ‘Hillbilly Willie’s Blues (Blind Willie McTell) and Otis Jackson’s ‘Tell Me Why You Like Roosvelt’, whereby this last song doesn’t need any more explanation. Not only is the music terribly good. Also the presentation with a nice digipack that has an information booklet enclosed speaks for itself. That Sjef Hermans and his lot are musicians with class I’ve known a bit longer than before today. But this time I’m really gobsmacked.
Musicians:
Sjef Hermans: vocals, guitar, kazoo
Theo de Koning: vocals, (slide)guitar, harmonica
Geert de Heer: guitar, dobro, lapsteel, mandoline, banjo
Gait Klein Kromhof: harmonica
Peter Bout: contrabas
Peter Lenselink: backing vocals, drums, wasbord, percussie, washboard, etc.
Guest Musicians:
David Egter van Wissekerke: fiddle, backing vocals
Wolfert Jumelet: accordion, button accordion, cajun accordion
Phons Bakx: Jews’ harp
Janus Filius: Jew’s harp
Mark Nijssen: Gong
Tracklist:
1. Breadline Blues (Slim Smith)
2. The Chiseler's Sorrow (Hershel Phillips)
3. Happy Days Are Here Again (Milton Ager / Jack Yellen)
4. On To Victory Mr. Roosevelt (W. Lee O' Daniel)
5. President Blues (President Roosevelt Blues) (Jack Kelly)
6. Low Cotton (Josh White)
7. NRA Blues (Bill Cox)
8. Waitin' On Roosevelt (Langston Hughes)
9. The Honest Farmer (Fiddlin' John Carson)
10. New Deal Blues (Austin & Lee Allen)
11. Hillbilly Willie's Blues (Blind Willie McTell)
12. Franklin D. Roosevelt's Back Again (Bill Cox)
13. The Democratic Donkey (Is In His Stall Again) (Bill Cox)
14. Casey Bill's New WPA (Casey Bill Weldon)
15. FDR in Trinidad (Atilla The Hun)
16. Welfare Store Blues (John Lee Williamson)
17. President Roosevelt (Huddie Ledbetter)
18. Tell Me Why You Like Roosevelt (Otis Jackson)
19. His Spirit Lives On (Big Joe Williams)
20. Dear Mrs. Roosevelt (Woody Guthrie, Ludlow Music Inc.)
21. (Still) Waitin' On Roosevelt (Langston Hughes)
