Joe Krown - Walter Wolfman Washington - Russell Batiste Jr. Live At The Maple Leaf self-released

One of the best blues shows I attended in the previous decade was when the trio of Joe Krown - Walter Wolfman Washington - Russell Batiste Jr. came to Arizona for a very special night of New Orleans music. I still have many fond memories of that show.

I'm able to re-create that evening every time I listen to the excellent live album, Live At The Maple Leaf, released in 2008 after a June two-night gig at the New Orleans iconic club, The Maple Leaf, four years prior to their Arizona appearance. What makes it even more special is that the music world lost both Mr. Washington and Mr. Batiste Jr. in the last two years.

Live At The Maple Leaf consists of nine wonderful cuts for a full hour of a blend of jazz, funk, blues, and soul. Krown leads the band on the Hammond B-3, Washington handles the vocals and plays tasty guitar, and Batiste Jr. provides the backline with typical rhythmic New Orleans percussion.

The three instrumental numbers are all band originals, "Maple Leaf Strutt" and "Sunday Night Crawfish," both composed by Batiste Jr., and "Under The Influence," penned by Krown. The other six numbers are all iconic soul and blues classics, each given a new interpretation by Washington's tasteful, growling vocals. Each number is a new classic.

Opening the album is a jazy version of the Jimmy Hughes hit, "Steal Away," highlighted by Krown's organ playing and Batiste Jr.'s funky drumming. Washington really packs a wallop of soul into his vocals on the Marvin Gaye classic, "What's Going On," sung over the baseline of Krown's organ and Batiste Jr.'s drumming.

Bill Withers songs have been covered quite frequently over the years, but perhaps none as good as the trio's "Use Me," thanks to Washington's funky guitar and great vocals. Quite frankly, he owns this number, and I certainly hoped that Mr. Withers got to hear this version of one of his best compositions. Up next is Joe Seneca's "Talk To Me, Talk To Me," with Washington laying down an extremely tasteful guitar solo.

The Wolfman shows his bluesy side on the Lightnin' Hopkins classic, "I Feel So Bad," before closing the show with a raucous, funky version of Johnny "Guitar" Watson's "You Can Stay But The Noise Got To Go." A great finish to an album that continually reminds me of one of the most memorable shows I've ever attended.

Whether or not you had the chance to see this excellent trio while they were together, this album should occupy a prominent spot in your collection.

--- Bill Mitchell