"Chicagoīs Jazz Record Mart can be a very sleepy place late at night. The last customerīs gone, and one weary, restless and slightly bored clerk behind the counter, listening to old albums and waiting for closing time. Outside itīs hot and still, and inside Iīm trying to work up just enough energy to sweep the floor. Then a phone call. The voice is Wesley Race, one of Chicagoīs most dedicated blues fans, calling from the Flamingo Club at 53d and Calumet on the South Side. īBruce, now I want you to listen,ī he hollered over the background noise, and turned the phone toward the bandstand. I thought I knew every bluesman in town, but this was something new, and something special - an incredibly fast, raw lead guitar and an urgent, intense singer. I must have listened ten minutes before I shouted back īWho the hell is that?ī īThat? Thatīs Son Seals.ī"

Bruce Iglauer says this in the liner notes to the first Son Seals Alligator album (Alligator 4703). In this issue of Blue Dog News Iīm going to take a little closer look at six Seals Alligator albums and one live tape on B.L.U.E.S. Yes, this is going to be like the Hound Dog Taylor live special!

As you all know, Son Seals was shot in the jaw by his wife. The latest news Iīve heard, reported he was feeling better and probably could continue singing and playing.

The Son Seals story is available at: Alligator records.
The official Son Seals site

The albums I review are:

• The Son Seals Blues Band (Alligator 4701, released 1973)
• Midnight Son (Alligator 4708, released 1977)
• Live and Burning (Alligator 4712, released 1978)
• Chicago Fire (Alligator 4720, released 1980)
• Bad Axe (Alligator 4738, released 1984)
• Live at B.L.U.E.S. (BRB 93702, released 1988?)
• Living in the Danger Zone (Alligator 4798, released 1991)

(Note that Son Seals have recorded two more albums on Alligator after "Living in the Danger zone". If you have comments on them feel free to send them to me and I will make this a complete list.)

As I did in my Hound Dog special Iīm going to rank the albums and compile the Ultimate Son Seals album!

The Son Seals Blues Band
On this first album Seals is backed by a tight little blues band, John Riley on bass, Charles L. Caldwell on drums and Big Moose Walker on organ.

• Mother-in-law Blues (3.12).
  The album starts with a very good fast shuffle. The band is incredibly tight and propels Sons hard-edged singing and playing forward. What a pace! Stinging guitar and a perfect start to this (my favorite) album!
• Sitting at my window (4.30)
  The pace and mood slows down. The theme of this song is the traditional "train left the station, oh lord mmmm" but John Rileyīs steady bass and Sonīs whining guitar saves this song from being pathetic
• Look now, baby (3.24)
  Another fast song, but this time with an interesting lick from Son. In my opinion this could be a Magic Slim song, but I know, people have told me..., that it donīt sound as Slim. Anyway, a nice fast paced song.
• Your love is like a cancer
  This is one of the best songs recorded in the seventies! A very cool bass lick starts off the song and then Sons ugly guitar comes and the lyrics are refreshingly new and the singing is convincing. What more can I say. This is one song you must listen to if you are interested in the blues at all!
• All your love (3.34)
  Magic Sam is one of my big heroes, especially his Cobra recordings. Son Seals turns the up tempo All your love to a quite slow and blue piece. I like it very much. Thank God Seals doesnīt try to sound like Magic Sam! This is pure Seals with a Maghett twist!
• Cotton picking blues (4.38)
  I think this is an ordinary slow blues. Donīt get me wrong! I like it, but this album is so good that a song which isnīt new and incredibly exciting just doesnīt make it all the way. Fiery guitar though and that tone is just killing me
• Hot Sauce (3.04)
  A funky instrumental. A perfect introductory piece. Son plays raw guitar and the band is funkier than a mosquitos tweeter. Hard stuff.
• How could she leave me (3.39)
  This song begins almost as Your love is like a cancer but it swings a little more. Listen and you understand what I mean! A good song but when you compare the two songs this one just doesnīt make it.
• Going home tomorrow (3.37)
  This albums third fast shuffle song. Seals manages to find a new lick to this one too. Variation of a theme...
• Now that Iīm down (5.58)
  Going home tomorrow was the third fast song and this is the third slow song. As I said above. Variation of a theme. I know Iīm not fair when I say this. The lyrics are good and Son plays stingy guitar, but you shouldnīt listen to both sides of this album (eg if you have the LP version...) without a pause. If you start with side 2, you can reverse my opinions....

Midnight Son
This album is an entirely new concept compared to the first one. All the musicians are different, the band is much larger and the funky beats starts to be a part of the trademark Seals sound. This album might also have the rawest guitar playing Son have delivered.

• I believe (Youīre trying to make a fool out of me)
  Whoops. I remember when I heard this album for the first time. I still was a hard core blues man and thought that brass absolutely didnīt belong in blues, I could stretch myself to a single saxophone riffing somewhere in the back. Otis Rush and Dawkins had some of that kind off brass. The horn section on this album is definitely not riffing in the back! The first song starts with some tough guitar from Seals. His playing has developed during the four years between his first two albums. Unfortunately, in my opinion, his singing starts to get worse. Tough guitar and tough lyrics makes this song a killer start! Lotīs of "bumpy" stops gives it a rough-tough feeling
• No, No Baby
  Son grunts and moans, I didnīt like it when I heard it at first but now I can appreciate it more. This song has a funky and grinding feeling. The band follows Seals guitar and grunts. Raw guitar again! A little to irregular(?) beat for my taste.
• Four Full Seasons of Love
  Son and the band starts the song riffing hard. A swinging song, a dance tune! Again, there are a lot of stop breaks.
• Telephone angel
  The first slow blues, and what a slow blues! Son plays amazingly intense guitar. The guitar solo should be an all-time classic. Not much more to say about this song than: Listen to it and fall down on your knees!
• Donīt Bother me
  As I said before the horns are not very discreet, all the songs are very arranged. In most of the songs I think it works well, but not in this! There are more gimmicks and fun things than blue feelings here. Donīt bother me with stuff like this Mr Seals! Interesting to note though is how the lyrics on this album gets more and more macho. Seals image at Alligator was that of a grim and macho man.
• On My Knees
  No gimmicks here! Son and the band just start to play. Albert Gianqquinto plays electric piano here. I used to hate the sound of electronic piano, but now I like it. Maybe this song is a little bit too long, although the raw solos from Son makes up for that. Albert also gets the chance to solo and itīs nice to hear someone else than Son play a solo.
• Donīt fool with my baby
  Sons opening riffs reminds me of a Creedence Clearwater Revival song! But after the first riffs the song turns into a variation of the High heal Sneakers theme. The song is OK, I doubt if Iīll remember it tomorrow...
• Strung out woman
  Hmm, If Donīt fool with my baby sounded like Tommy Tucker, this song reminds of a funky Killing Floor. Heavy horns marks the beat. A little bit to heavy for me. Overproduced!
• Going back home
  The second slow blues on this album, this time a minor key one. After all the hard riffing horns itīs a relief with a slower tempo. Son plays blue and intense lead guitar, the second guitarist plucks moody notes in the back. The best song effort from Son here! A good ending to an interesting album.

Live and Burning
After two studio albums Son was ready to make a live album. Again the band is new, A.C Reed plays sax, Lacey Gibson guitar, Snapper Mitchum bass and Tony Gooden on drums. On one track Alberto Gianquinto plays piano. The sound quality is very good, but the production is very "close". I prefer when the sound is big with a lot of echo. This detail is just personal preferences.

• I canīt hold out
  Swoooosh! Son and the band begins the set with a fantastic workout of the Elmore classic. Sonīs brutal guitar solo is the icing on the cake!
• Blue Shadows Falling
  A slow and, yawn, boring take of another classic song.
• Funky Bitch
  If Blue Shadows didnīt have a pulse at all Funky Bitch at least is not just alive, sheīs kicking too... Solid swinging funky blues with the usual hard core guitar from Son.
• The woman I love
  Another slow blues This time the intensity is high and Son is screaming and howling the blues with a hoarse voice. Everything is moving towards the ending guitar solo were Son really nails his piercing notes in the listeners forehead (hmmm). Just when you think Son is going berserk he slows the tempo and volume down and you can think of breathing again. I like this song...
• Help me, somebody
  A churning beat with some nice sax in the back sets the mood here. I donīt have any complaints, everything sounds just as it should, but... all the songs canīt be masterpieces. At the end Tony Gooden plays a drum solo and then Son joins him with some funky playing. If I had been at Wise Foolīs Pub Iīd hollered, in my living room I go to the toilet...
• Sheīs fine
  Ahhh, chunky! When the songs begins I think of Rock me but when Son starts to sing, Hound Dog Taylorīs Sheīs allright comes to my mind. When I listen a few seconds more I realize that this actually is a version of Jerry McCain´s Sheīs tuff!
• Call my job
  The slow and grinding beat continues in the Detroit Jr classic. A heavy sound, Lacey Gibson´s backing guitar is perfect! My only complaint here is that it had been even better if you had been there...
• Last Night
  Ļ This seems to be the last song of the set, Son speaks with the audience. A:C Reed takes his first solo, Gianquinto solos on an electronic piano and the whole thing makes me very bored... Sorry, I have to be honest! Near the end Son takes his solo and wakes me up...
• Hot Sauce
  The album ends with a very raw Hot Sauce. Son really has a sound of his own. Lord Have Mercy! This is hot. Yeaaah. Son, Son, Son. Sho īnuff, man....

Chicago Fire
Two years after his live album Son returns to the studio, the only left in the band is the excellent Snapper Mitchum on bass. The others are Mark Weaver guitar, David D. Anderson drums and King Solomon on keyboards. There also is a horn section. I think the horns works much better here than on Midnight Son. I must admit that this the Son Seals album Iīve listened most seldom at. The songs are a bit too long and I used to think it was too ...meek?

• Buzzard Luck
  The album starts with a very good song. It reminds me of Albert King and "Born under a bad sign". Not bad!
• Iīm not tired
  Son Seals goes New Orleans.... Well, maybe this is not Fess and his Shuffling Hungarians, but the the sound is definitely not hard core Chicago blues.
• Leaving home
  If "Iīm not tired" wasnīt pure Chicago this one is! This is almost an archetypal minor blues! Of course itīs very good, but sometimes I almost want to start laughing. Donīt get me wrong here. The song is moving, and the lyrics are OK. Itīs just itīs almost too much, too perfect!
• Landlord at my home
  This song features, almost for the first time, that special Son Seals blend between Blues, Soul and Funk. I like this mix. Sonīs guitar is pure blues, the backing is very soulful. Just like the great Albert King stuff from the seventies (keep your eyes open this spring, The Blue Dog News is going to tell the Albert King story).
• Gentleman from the Windy City
  Guess who the gentleman is? Yes, it must be Mr Seals. A catching soul beat and a bit of Las Vegas style Horns makes this a very cool song. Even Sonīs solo is more melodious than usual. The next statement may not be true at all. No one I have asked (two persons...) agree with me, but I think this sounds a bit like the incredible A Nickel and a Nail. Compare and tell me if Iīm wrong!
• Good-bye little girl
  This could be Junior Wells. Western Union man from Juniorīs Isabel album. This is almost a jaunty little song!
• Watching every move you make
  The formula continues, soulful funky blues. Heavy marked "horn beats", funky bass and drums. Standard Seals.
• Crying time again
  The Albert King influences shows again. This could be a softer version of Angel of Mercy. Nothing really happens in the song. The bass just thumps a Angel of Mercy lick, this kind of song needs intensity. Listen to Albert instead!
• Nobody wants a loser
  A fast paced shuffle with some nice stop breaks. Ta da, ta da, da da... A great party piece! Son plays some boogie woogie bass lines. all right, yeah.

Bad Axe
As usual Son has changed his band. This time Sid Wingfield and Carl Snyder Jr takes care of the organ playing, Carlos Johnson plays second guitar on some of the tracks, Johnny B. Gayden and Nick Charles shares the bass job and Willie Hayes or Rick Howard plays the drums. If the former album were a mix between blues and soul, this album is a mix between blues and rock. Son have never sounded as tough as here. The guitar playing is monotonous and piercing. Son really hammers down his notes. Very, very aggressive playing straight through and the lyrics are very macho style tough too.

• Donīt pick me for your fool (4.17)
  An incredibly tough opening. A medium/slow shuffle with Son hitting his trademark licks with force. Donīt pick me for your fool, baby... Son sounds like he was in the mood to kill someone. Shucks.
• Going home (where women got meat on their bones) (3.48)
  The lyrics are traditional. Meat shaking on my Big leg woman, hmmm. It was a long time since I heard someone use this old time metaphor! But Son doesnīt sing like he is enjoying himself, "Iīm going home where women got meat on their bones", he sounds like heīs bitter with the Chicago women...
• Just about to lose your clown (3.10)
  A heavy back beat, almost beautiful guitar and bitter lyrics makes this one my favorite song on this album. "You treat me just like dirt and you think it doesnīt hurt. You say I look funny every time you put me down, but youīre in for a big surprise. Honey, youīre just about to lose your clown."
• Friday again (5.27)
  A solid bass line and nice organ from Sid Wingfield sets the mood to this medium slow blues. Son sings of "Friday again" and everything he is going to do. Well, Son doesnīt seem to have high hopes for his Fridays. On Monday he have to be back on his job, the guys are going to steal his woman and the money are going to disappear. Hey Seals, where are your illusions? "Gentleman from the windy city" from Chicago Fire is another party description, but with a completely different attitude. Compare!
• Cold Blood (4.00)
  Some nice piano in the background (a long solo near the end) and Sonīs solo is a little bit different than he usually plays. But this is just another semiquick shuffle. A typical filler.
• Out of my way (4.32)
  Whooa. The first licks reminds me of the eighties style of rock! Horrible! Fortunately the song turns into a standard blues with some nice turnarounds and stop breaks.
• I think youīre fooling me (3.52)
  This one also start like one of these awful rock songs. Brrr. But again, the song turns into something completely different. The beat is soulful and the lyrics are witty. A fun thing to listen too, not much to write home about...
• I can count on my blues(6.07)
  A ballad! A nice mix between soul, country and pure muzak! Son knows how to sing! At last something new in the Seals repertoire. I like this! Son even plays a soft and melodic solo
• Canīt stand to see her cry (4.01)
  After the ballad Son dives deep into the seventies blaxplotation sound. A cool guitar riff and you almost feel the Shaft atmosphere. Yes! I had forgot how this song sounded. Du du di, da dadat dapp! Funky without the seventies strings and congas...
• Person to Person (3.08)
  A straightforward take of this classic song. The N.O feeling is there. A nice ending to a good album.

Live at B.L.U.E.S.
In the last years of the eighties Son and Alligator had some difficulties to cooperate. I think money was the issue. Son continued to play and touring the whole time, although his economical interests took more and more of his time. Sometime during this period Son Seals played at B.L.U.E.S. and the show was recorded and released on the clubs label, in cassette form! The only information on the cassette is which song Son plays.

• I believe
  Son kicks of with "I believe" from Midnight Son. The band, with horns, sounds good. Son moans and whispers and hollers and plays his usual intense guitar. A very nice start.
• Help me somebody
  There is another take of this song on Sonīs Alligator live. This take is much faster and not so cool as the Alligator one. A.C Reed (I think) takes a solo. The song is OK, but too fast.
• Your love is like cancer
  I was very excited when I heard this tape for the first time, especially when I came to this song. Is it as good as the one on Seals first album? Well, itīs not as raw, but itīs still very good. Son and the band puts more of a soul feeling in it. The horns are riffing the riff in the back. Maybe not as good as the old take, but itīs still enough fire in it to burn down at least my resistance.
• I wonder
  A medium rollicking shuffle. The second guitar is very nice! Son plays a long solo.
• Telephone Angel
  Jeeesus. This is good! The solo here must be one of Sons best ever. A definite must.
• I made nights by myself/Going to New York
  Again a medium paced shuffle. I like the lyrics in this song."Iīve made nights by myself, when the ground was covered with snow". Poor Son! But "Crying wonīt help me". True, true. After these wise words Son plunges into an intensive solo. "Iīve got a mind to ramble..." Solo 2. the horn section are riffing and the joint is swinging and then Son turns into overdrive. Yes! Oh, Lord! Immediately when the song ends the band begins with "Going to New York". the audience joins Son and the band, "Iīm going to N.Y". Hmm. Rather nice. I sing a long in my living room. Iīm gooing to Neeew York, ta da ta da. Goooing, gooing.... Somehow it isnīt as fun singing at home, sober and alone, as when youīre at a club. Strange....
• Sitting at my window
  This is Blues, a standard slow blues. A lot of intensity, the horns are swinging in the back and the lyrics are quite good. Why donīt I get moved? Maybe Iīve listened to much on Seals the last few days? Everything is as it should be here, maybe I need a rest from Mr Seals.
• Donīt throw your love on me so strong
  OK, Iīve had a cup of coffee and done some other things for an hour. This is yet another slow blues, but this time, high on coffee, I think it sounds much better! After a few bars the band changes key. Very nice! At times Son sings uncanny like Albert King! (Especially near the end. Listen closely!)A long song but it never gets boring. Hard stuff.
• Hot sauce
  Son yells "Hot sauce, one, two , three" and then ....Hot sauce begins! Son seems to end his shows with this. This version is as raw and "choppy" as usual. The second guitarists gets the opportunity to take a few solo notes. "Letīs hear it for Son Seals!"

Living in the Danger Zone
Son Seals returned to Alligator and this is the result. A very modern and well produced album. There are two completely different backing bands. (Go to Alligators Seals page to find out who more are playing). The sound differences between the two bands are not that big, but they give some variation. I think I prefer the one with horns and a second guitar, the sound is more "bright". One more thing: The CD cover shows a very grim picture of Son Seals!

• Frigidaire woman (5.07)
  The sound is excellent. Kevin Tremblay plays soulful second guitar. A modern easy swinging blues. An elegant song!(band 1)
• I canīt lose the blues (4.28)
  A more traditional Seals blues. It seems as Iīve heard this many, many times the last few days... The little tight blues band is backing here. (OK, Iīll tell who play... Sid Wingfield on organ, Johnny B. Gayden on bass and Ray Allison on drums. Do you remember him from Buddy Guyīs tremendous "Blues Giant" album?)A bit to long,but Son convinces me of his Blues feeling.(band 2)
• Woman in Black (3.10)
  A contemporary blues funk beat with that special Seals twist. The bass plays a nice "Killing Floor" riff. Sid Wingfield´s organ contributes to the "fat" sound. Solid swing here!(band 2)
• Tell it to another fool (4.17)
  The best song on the album. Churchy organ, minor key chording from Son, Gayden´s bass is thumping! Good dynamics also. Not much more to say. Program your CD player on this one.(band 2)
• Ainīt that some shame (3.38)
  Again standard Seals. Good, but Iīve heard it done better on his earlier albums. The sound is again perfect. (band 1)
• Arkansas woman (4.29)
  Johnny B. Gayden succeeds one more time of playing a kind of "Killing Floor" riff. It swings, but where is the variation? Son delivers his usual hard core blues. Surprise me Seals! (band 2)
• The Danger Zone (5.04)
  OK. I am surprised. Flute! The flute creates a strange atmosphere to the otherwise heavy sound. Nice combination. "Arkansas woman" is a better song but I enjoy this one more. (band 1)
• Last four nickels (4.17)
  The usual Seals sound but this time it works better, maybe because Johnny B. Gayden isnīt around... Kevin Tremblay on guitar does a great job again and Red Groetzingar plays funky sax backing. My head rocks back and forward and my feet begin tapping... This is good. Funky and bluesy at the same time. The best fast song on the album. Thereīs even a sax solo in the end. (band 1)
• My time now
  A medium/slow blues. Sid Wingfield doubles on organ and piano. Hmmm, Iīm out of words. I have the feeling that both you and me are getting bored with my writing... Hmmm. OK. I think the organ gets a little to much space. Otherwise everything is rather good.... (band 2)
• Bad Axe (3.12)
  A very funky song. Son plays a cool riff in the start and then the funky bumpy ride begins. Very good! Gayden´s bass works here. Sid plays "churnful" organ. I stated before that "Last four Nickels" was the best fast song, but now I donīt know... (band 2)
• My life (8.07)
  Sounds a bit like "I can count on my blues" on "Bad axe". Sugar Blue plays sweet harmonica and Son croons his life story. Note that there are no drums. Sid Wingfield plays organ and Johnny B. Gayden bass. I liked "I can count on my blues" very much. "My life" is not as good. It is, though, a relaxing tune. Sugar Blue croons on his harp!

Iīm to tired to give long comments to the albums. Check the song listing above if you want to find out more. Anyway this is my ranking of the reviewed albums:

1. The Son Seals Blues Band The first one and it sparkles of youth, aggressivity and sincerity.
2. Midnight Son The second album and an entirely new concept. Great guitar, but the overall production is a bit uneven.
3. Bad Axe The fourth Alligator album. Even more uneven than Midnight Son, but some tracks hits you hard in the stomach with gut wrenching intensity.
4. Live at B.L.U.E.S The only non-Alligator Seals album. No real showstoppers, the strength with this album is itīs non gimmick attitude. Just a show, anyplace, anytime. I like that feeling.
5. Live and Burning The third Alligator. The first track, "Canīt hold out", is by far the best. The good moments are better than on the B.L.U.E.S. album, but it donīt work as a genuine live document. And as I said before, I donīt like the production on Live and Burning.
6. Living in the danger Zone A solid album. The drawback is that it gets boring! I donīt think Son delivers his usual hard punch. To much jabbing!
7. Chicago Fire I didnīt like this at all before, now I think it is better. Unfortunately not good enough. Some nice moments, but the overall production is to weak.

OK! If you have followed me this far you certainly deserve to know which ten songs, out of 68!, Iīve picked (there are no ranking between the songs):

1. I believe (Youīre trying to make a fool out of me) (Midnight Son)
2. Just about to lose your clown (Bad Axe)
3. Telephone Angel (Midnight Son)
4. Hot Sauce (Son Seals)
5. Your love is like a cancer woman (Son Seals)
6. All your love (Son Seals)
7. I canīt hold out (Live and Burning)
8. Gentleman from the Windy City (Chicago Fire)
9. Canīt stand to see her cry (Bad Axe)
10. Tell it to another fool (Living in the danger Zone)

Thatīs it!

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Tommy Jansson