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Blues Beat

Boogaloo Ames Takes Us on a Sonic Journey with "Going Down Slow"


Boogaloo Ames – Going Down Slow

Wolf Records

12 songs, 38 minutes In the vast landscape of blues, Abie "Boogaloo" Ames emerges as one of the last great practitioners of Barrelhouse Piano, leaving his mark on the genre with the release of "Going Down Slow," a captivating album that serves as a testament to his genius.


Ames, born in either 1918 or 1920 (depending on which source you consult) in Jamaica, Mississippi, or Georgia, embarked on his musical journey in Detroit as a young man. The enigmatic pianist then returned to Mississippi, where he cultivated a long and mostly under-the-radar career until his passing in 2002. "Going Down Slow," recorded in Greenville, MS in 1998, stands as the sole full-length album credited to Ames, capturing his brilliance in a solo setting after a lifetime of musical development.


The album, consisting of 12 tracks with a runtime of 38 minutes, unfolds like a sonic tapestry, with Boogaloo's piano mastery at the forefront. His playing, a true revelation, showcases a remarkable range from supple and tender moments to bombastic and commanding passages. With an expressive and distinct touch on the keys, Ames breathes new life into the standard blues repertoire, which includes classics like the title track, "Early in the Morning," "Every Day I Have the Blues," "Caldonia," and "Further On Up the Road."


What sets Boogaloo Ames apart is his ability to inject fire into these familiar tunes through his vibrant and innovative playing. The program also features two standout instrumentals, "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie" and "After Hours," where Ames' creativity shines as he navigates the intricate nuances of the blues tradition. Rather than merely interpreting a century of musical invention, he reinvents the music, offering a fresh perspective that captivates the listener.


While Boogaloo Ames wasn't known for his vocals, they feature prominently on most of the tunes. Although his phrasing is commendable, the garbled pronunciation and off-pitch delivery can be unsettling. In moments reminiscent of some early Fat Possum recordings, where amateur Hill Country artists like Robert Cage and Paul "Wine" Jones showcased raw authenticity, Ames finds his stride in scat-style vocalizations, as heard on "What'd I Say" and "Everyday I Have the Blues."


"Going Down Slow" stands as an essential document, preserving the legacy of Boogaloo Ames as a towering giant of blues piano. Klaus Kilian's informative liner notes help contextualize Ames' significance within the larger blues landscape. More importantly, the undeniable artistry displayed by Boogaloo Ames on this record thrills and transcends, making "Going Down Slow" a must-listen for blues enthusiasts and music connoisseurs alike.

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