Waters, Ben: Boogie 4 Stu-A Tribute to Ian Stewart

Ben Waters is an accomplished boogie woogie piano player. Despite being only 35, Ben has entertained at many major festivals, theatres, and clubs, in his over 20 years of making music. He has over 3000 gigs to his credit, and tours of much of the world. Ben has performed with some very important musicians, including Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jools Holland, Ray Davies, Dave Gilmore, Dave Stewart, Shakin Stevens, Status Quo, The Beach Boys, The Pogues, and Leo Sayer, amongst many others.

This album is a tribute to Ian Stewart, one of Ben's early influences and the musician he credits with inspiring him to start to learn to play the piano. Ian was the original piano player and co - founding member of the Rolling Stones.

With all the Rolling Stones collaborating on this one it almost feels like going back in time with the Rolling Stones for a new album. There are more celebrities than you can fit on one album. If you love boogie woogie or the blues you will love this interpretation of some of Ian and Ben's favorite songs. The fact that Mick, Keith, and most of the other Stones asked to be included on this album tells you something about their friendship with both Ben and Ian. Jules Holland is another wonderful surprise and his willingness to 'donate', no charge, his studio to record it is another indication that you need this album in your collection if you are a fan on Ian Stewart's style of piano. To top it off, the profits from the CD go to benefit the British Heart Foundation. That fact helped to garner the support and artistry behind the cover provided by Sir Peter Blake, the famous designer of the Beatle's Sgt. Pepper cover.

"Boogie Woogie Stomp" gets everything off to a fast paced start. Albert Ammon's jazzy boogie woogie.

"Rooming House Boogie" keeps the pace going with some excellent piano work, accented with Keith Richards on lead guitar, Bill Wyman, on bass, Richard Hymas, on guitar, Ady Milward on drums, and Derek Nash and Clive Ashley on sax. Ben leads on vocals along with the piano playing.

"Worried Life Blues" is a slow blues song with Keith Richards on vocals, Ronnie Wood on guitar, Jools Holland on Hammon organ, Ben on piano, and Charlie Watts on drums. It's as if the Rolling Stones have reunited. Willy Garnet and Don Wellor join in on sax, and Dave Green on bass. The band plays like a bunch of guys that just don't want the song and magic to end.

"Boogie for Stu" is a great piano 'duet', with both Jools Holland and Ben tapping the keys. Dave Green returns on bass along with Charlie Watts on drums. Willy Garnet and Don Wellor are back on sax and help light up the proceedings later in the song. But this is a piano showcase with two great players showing everyone how to do it right. Don't get this confused with the Led Zeppelin blues classic off Physical Graffiti. This is a jazz number written by Ben and Jools Holland.

Jools Holland takes over the vocals on "Make Me a Pallet on your Floor", as Ben supplies the piano. Alex Garnet contributes baritone sax, with Willy Garnet and Don Wellor also contributing sax of their own. A cool bluesy/jazzy tune.

"Midnight Blues" is Ben and Jool's production of a traditional ramblin' blues piano instrumental.

PJ Harvey, Ben's cousin, provides her nearly whispered lead and backing vocals and sax to "Lonely Avenue", one of Steve Marley's songs. Another wonderful tribute to Ian. One of the best tracks on the album, with Ben accompanying on piano.

"Watching the River Flow" is the album highlight by far! Mick Jagger is in the house, and he's brought a few of his friends! Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood provide guitar, Charlie Watts on drums, Bill Wyman on bass, yeh a Rolling Stones reunion. This is the Bob Dylan classic with Jools Holland's Hammond and Ben on piano. Wellor, Willie and Alex Garnet set up a nice sax horn session. Dave Swift joins in on tambourine, and Mick's harmonica just takes this one over the top! Yeh, bring back the old Stones like it used to be.

Well how do you follow that one? With "Roll 'Em Pete", as Hamish Maxwell brings the vocals and Terry Taylor the guitar. Watts takes care of the drums and Ben the piano. A rockin' number in the traditional boogie woogie style.

"Suitcase Blues" is Ben Waters providing his interpretation of an Albert Ammon's classic.

So how do you close such a wonderful tribute? By including some original piano from the man the tribute is for. "Bring it on Home to Me", is one of Sam Cooke's best songs. Steeped in the tradition of blues legends, this piece of art gets an update with, Roger Sutton on vocals, Mike Hogh and John Picard on trombone, Clive Thatcher on drums, Olaf Vas on sax, Jimmy Roche on guitar, Willy Garnet on sax, and of course Ian Stewart on piano! Ian's piano as recorded from his show from the Montreux Jazz Festival back in 1984, with his band Rocket 88, (many of whom play on this tribute album). The claps and cheers at the opening make it sound live. Ben says that "if you listen carefully you can hear Eva, PJ Harvey's mother, making soup in the background".

Track Listing
1. Boogie Woogie Stomp- Ben Waters 3:07
2. Rooming House Boogie- Ben Waters 4:40
3. Worried Life Blues- Ben Waters 3:12
4. Boogie For Stu- Ben Waters 4:19
5. Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor- Ben Waters 3:49
6. Midnight Blues- Ben Waters 2:37
7. Lonely Avenue- Ben Waters 2:35
8. Watchin' The River Flow- Ben Waters 5:09
9. Roll 'em Pete- Ben Waters 2:56
10. Suitcase Blues- Ben Waters 3:34
11. Bring It On Home- Ian Stewart 6:05

Added: May 4th 2011
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
Hits: 1957
Language: english

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