Music Review: Elvin Bishop's Big Fun Trio

Back in the mid 60s only a handful of white guys cottoned onto the unique sound of electric blues being laid down by the giants of the genre, Muddy Waters, Little Walter and Howlin' Wolf, at gritty Chicago clubs on the Windy City's Southside.

One of those few was guitarist Elvin Bishop who played his first gig in 1962 with the Junior Wells band, going on to become a founding member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

In the decades since Elvin Bishop has plied his craft across a wide range of music styles, even including a pop hit Fooled Around and Fell in Love in 1975.

Elvin Bishop returned to Chicago's Alligator label in 2014 and Big Fun Trio again reflects the roots of the blues with a down and dirty set list, reminiscent in fact of the label's first release 45 years ago with Hound Dog Taylor's high energy album and also comparable to the raw sound of Elmore James at his best.

Bob Welsh alternates between the piano and guitar, Willy Jordan keeps a rock steady beat from the drum stool, with Elvin Bishop leading the charge on guitar.

The trio's sound, though, is augmented brilliantly by classic blues harp from Kim Wilson, Rick Estrin and the legendary Charlie Musselwhite.

The feel good factor is another element that predominates the Big Fun Trio's sound.

In fact it's easy to imagine them crammed onto a small stage in a smoky Southside Club, circa 1965.

There aren't many outfits that draw that sort of comparison.

Needless to say Elvin Bishop and his crew's claim to 100 years of the blues ain't no lie.

Rating: 5/5 stars