Like many black American
blues and
R&B artists, New Orleans singer and pianist
Champion Jack Dupree found more respect and recognition in Europe than he did in his homeland, and he relocated to Europe in 1959, only rarely returning to the U.S. He cut several albums there, including the two included in this double-disc set from
Beat Goes On,
From New Orleans to Chicago, recorded in London in 1966, and
Champion Jack Dupree and His Blues Band, tracked in the same city a year later (both were originally released on
London Decca). Of the two, the latter release is the stronger (thanks in no small part to guitarist
Mickey Baker), although
From New Orleans is probably better known, mainly for the presence of
Eric Clapton and
John Mayall at the sessions. Throughout, listeners are treated to
Dupree's thundering barrelhouse piano, his Emerald City vocals (always delivered, it seems, with a slight wink), and -- in the case of the 1967 album -- a solid and rocking backing band. Highlights include
"Ain't It a Shame" and
"Down the Valley" from the first disc and
"Louise," "Come Back Baby" (an almost
Cajun chunk of near-
swamp pop), and
"Georgiana," a
ballad in the
Ray Charles mold, from the second. Seldom have the
blues been delivered with more open-ended glee, and fans of this engaging artist will undoubtedly be pleased that these albums are back in print, and packaged together. ~ Steve Leggett
