Sing the Blues with Grandpa Elliot Sugar Sweet CD

I often find it daunting reviewing CDs. Music is such a personal taste and preferences can often make it difficult to be unbiased and open minded. I value diversity in music and feel lucky to have a very eclectic and varied taste in music. I am a fan of a variety of musical genres from world music to rock and roll, classical to alternative. I am a fan of the blues though I do not claim to have a great deal of knowledge and expertise in critiquing any music. My music reviews stem primarily from my personal preferences and the way the music speaks to me. I love the emotive nature of music!

When I slipped Grandpa Elliott “Sugar Sweet” into the CD player I was not sure what to anticipate. The Grandpa Elliot “Sugar Sweet” CD is a Playing for Change album created by the Playing for Change Foundation helping to bring music into the lives of disadvantaged youth. Labeled as Blues I suspected I would experience the authentic, raw sound of traditional blues and I was met with little surprise. It was truly raw and heartfelt. Discovered as a street performer in New Orleans’ French Quarter Grandpa Elliott Small has been performing since he was 6 years of age. Now at the age of 65 he is an internet sensation. His Stand By Me video performing with other artists has brought him fame and a Playing for change album brimming with cool, smooth, blues!

Though I did not feel the emotional charge Blues tends to inspire from the very beginning of the CD by the final tracks I began to feel it in my soul. The fourth track “Baby, what you want me to do”--a blues song I honestly had only heard prior as an Elvis recording but knew was originally a song from the great blues influence Jimmy Reed--was for me the pivotal moment of emotive momentum on this album. My other favourites Another Saturday Night, Fannie Mae--a live recording--and Please Come Home for Christmas. These four tracks are the reveal of this album’s genuine blues heart! I also recognize hints of spirituals, gospel, and surprisingly the Caribbean rhythmns of “Sugar is Sweet“.

Grandpa Elliot, clad in his trademark red t-shirt and blue overalls and breathing life into his harmonica, is a musical legend 60 years in the making. Blues from the streets of New Orleans!
Enjoy these 9 Tracks:
Ain’t Nothing You Can Do
This Little Light of Mine (Medley)
Sugar Is Sweet
Baby, What You Want Me To Do
We’re Gonna Make It
Share your Love With Me
Another Saturday Night
Fannie Mae (Live)
Please Come Home for Christmas

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Open to US and Canadian residents. Giveaway closes May 15th 2010 midnight EST. Read Giveaway Rules for details.