Thursday 17 September 2015 Edinburgh Blues Club present Lil Jimmy Reed + Al Brown Band – The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
Lil Jimmy Reed featuring Bob Hall
Still playing and touring the World, Li’l Jimmy Reed is probably the last of the original Louisiana bluesmen. Born Leon Atkins in Baton Rouge in 1930, aged six he taught himself to play on a cigar box guitar, and aged eighteen his lucky break came when he replaced a well-known local star on stage who was too drunk to play. That man was called Jimmy Reed. Thus “Little” Jimmy Reed was born. He thus escaped the poverty of the southern US and went on to play with a great many of the legendary blues stars who ignited the 60s blues boom both here and in the US. Here is possibly your last chance of hearing a living link to the origins of our early 60s bands such as Alexis Korner, John Mayall and The Rolling Stones.
Jimmy Reed was born Leon Atkins in the 1930’s near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and later became known as Li’l Jimmy Reed), At an early age, he developed a love of music to escape the pain of the poverty stricken Southern US. He favoured the guitar and the harmonica, and often dreamed of some day becoming a famous guitar player and travelling the hatred of Southern Louisiana. For Leon growing up across the street of a nightclub fascinated him, hearing the sounds of the guitars, pianos, and the jukebox music echoing throughout the night was to him a pure joy. When he saw the local men playing music he would often imitate them on his childlike imaginary guitar. But soon that would change. When he was just six years old, one of the older men who had taken notice of Leon’s love for music surprised him by making him his very first guitar out of a small cigar box.
Leon loved it and that sparked the beginning of a life long relationship of a man and his guitar. As Leon grew into his teenage years, he spent most of his after school days working in the local saw mill and the town shoe shop after school. Growing tired of fixing shoes, Leon let it be known to his father that he wanted to play music. One Monday after his father returned home from a good days work with gifts for the family, Leon patiently waited his turn and was speechless, when his Dad handed him a brand new guitar. By that Saturday evening, Leon was playing the guitar as if he had taken music lessons for years. Leon played music by ear without any teachings or lessons ever taken. Soon he entertained the locals around town and realized there must be a better way to help provide for his family and himself. Leon turned 18 in 1957 and went to Barber College in Little Rock Arkansas. He continued to pursue his musical talent as he quickly advanced with simple jobs such as playing in the local juke joints and blues alleys. In these lumber walls and saw dust covered floors, Leon became a favorite of the locals, and others who heard him play.
One night in an upper scale blues club, Leon was able to get that one lucky break. A well known blues artist by the name of “Jimmy Reed” was scheduled to perform. Leon knew Jimmy Reed’s music really well, from childhood listening to jukebox music from the nearby nightclub. Leon had always wanted to see the real Jimmy Reed and finally he had the chance to do just that. Be it unknown to Leon, this night would change his life forever.
As Leon recalls, Mr. Reed had obviously gotten drunk, and Leon was asked to take his place. “They snuck him out back, and came and got me” Leon recalls clearly. Mr. Reed was just too drunk to play”. The crowd couldn’t tell the difference and the show was a hit. Leon gave a show stopping performance. Thus was born “LIL’ JIMMY REED”, and soon he achieved his childhood dream. Over the years he has worked and played with a “who’s who” top bluesmen including Bobby Bland, Ike Turner, Little Milton, Clarence Carter, Tabby Thomas, Billy Bonds, Willie Clayton, and Otis Grand, and many, many more. He has also recorded a long list of 45s, albums and CDs under his own name.
Lil Jimmy Reed continues to play all over the US and Europe and as he happily says “life just get better with time”, and now he is one of the last of the “second generation” Louisiana bluesmen who is still playing and touring.
Touring with Lil Jimmy are Bob Hall and his partner Hilary Blythe. Critically acknowledged as Britain’s finest blues and boogie pianist, Bob Hall’s distinctive and original piano style has influenced many of our piano players. He first came to fame in the rhythm ‘n’ blues explosion of the sixties and played and recorded with Alexis Korner, and Spencer Davis. He also accompanied to a host of touring bluesmen including: John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, Jimmy Witherspoon, Chuck Berry, Homesick James, Lightnin’ Slim, Lowell Fulsom, Charlie Musselwhite, Snooky Prior, J B Hutto, Lazy Lester, Baby Boy Warren, Eddie Burns, Eddie Taylor, Big John Wrencher, Mickey Baker, Cousin Joe Pleasants, Sonny Terry and Eddie Clearwater. Bob subsequently led head-lining bands Tramp and Rocket 88, whose sidemen included Jack Bruce of Cream, Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones and Mick Fleetwood and Danny Kirwan of Fleetwood Mac. From 1979 he has been a regular featured guest with The Blues Band, an all star line-up including Paul Jones, Dave Kelly, Tom McGuinness, Gary Fletcher and Rob Townsend.
Support by Al Brown Band
Al Brown is one of the best and most respected players in the business. Having performed with Rev Doc & The Congregation, Tam White, Rhumboogie Orchestra and The Jensen Interceptors, Al brings his top class band to the Edinburgh Blues Club for the first time. http://www.reverbnation.com/albrown
No additional ticket costs for members of the Edinburgh Blues Club.
Non member tickets available for £13 + sbf available  from Ripping Records, Tickets Scotland and Ticketweb
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