NATE MYERS & THE ACES: The Lonesome Plowboy

Nate Myers & The Aces

The Lonesome Plowboy

© 2004 Nate Myers (803597021829)

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Harmonica driven music based in blues and roots styles with guest performances by Big Jack Johnson and Jimbo Mathus.

notes

LINER NOTES for "The Lonesome Plowboy"


It has been said that the end often justifies the means. In this case, the end result you hold in your hands is the 13 songs selected from a blitzkrieg-style recording session at Jimbo Mathus' Clarksdale-based Delta Recording Studio where 40+ songs were recorded over a productive 3-day period in August 2004. The means, well, I could claim that to be the sixteen hour drive straight through from Pennsylvania To Mississippi, easily serving as a metaphor for the larger means of years of paying dues, practicing, testing material and talent in front of countless audiences across PA, but I won't. The real means occurred during the weeklong trip, via the Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival, a Mini-Blues Fest at Cat Head delta blues and folk art shop and a performance by the band at Red's juke joint in Clarksdale. It was obvious something had happened.
Perhaps it was due to experiencing just how the music is performed and received up close and in its element by such heroes as Big Jack Johnson, T-Model Ford, Cedell Davis and others. Perhaps it was the storied blues history of the Delta and of Clarksdale in particular. Or perhaps it was something else altogether, an as-of-yet intangible and unexplainable factor. In any case, just how the music is played and perceived began to change by the members of Nate Myers & The Aces. It's impossible that the vibe present on these recordings could have been captured anywhere else but under Jimbo's supervision and after such a musical "awakening." Just what was captured for posterity bore witness to a renewed importance on feeling and conviction and it afforded the courage to stay true to interpretation through their own music.
From the opening instrumental, Jawbreaker, a loose, live approach is readily apparent with an importance on maintaining feel and groove over polished slickness and overproduction. It's a concept that served these recording sessions well. It did not matter that the vintage Gibson amplifier Nate used on Jawbreaker cut in and out occasionally. It was the feeling captured that cemented it's inclusion. Blues is a music that celebrates a rough delivery on occasion and the rugged live feel captured perfectly the Mississippi-bred enthusiasm.
The live feel is reminiscent of some recent classic blues recordings on the Oxford, Mississippi-based Fat Possum label and Buddy Guy's "Sweet Tea" (on which Jimbo both played guitar and served as musical director!), itself a take on the Fat Possum legacy. Nate Myers & The Aces display a broad range of influences that they put through this filter.
Jump blues, funky Slim Harpo-esque blues, swamp blues, country blues, rock & roll and even a country-style ballad all represent the broad range of colors on Nate's pallet. The band's talents are demonstrated by the fact that 10 of the 13 songs are originals. Nate's writing talent is evident by a serious self-introspection and he displays a great knack for lyrical storytelling, eschewing the typical women and money troubles in favor of positive and uplifting messages. His harmonica playing is full of stylistic uniqueness and continues to move into new territories, as evident on the title track, The Lonesome Plowboy. His playing throughout these recordings is, at times, reminiscent of big band horns and is full of the bleed-through-the-speakers, big tone of heroes like William Clarke, Rod Piazza, Sonny Boy Williamson (#1 and #2), Little Walter and many, many others.
The Aces represent some of the very finest of the Pennsylvania blues scene. Dale Wise is a much respected drummer and leader who has logged both time and miles as Buddy Rich's personal roadie, in addition to tours and recording with Big Jack Johnson (W. C. Handy nominated "Roots Stew"). Pete Netznik, bass, has played in numerous bands both inside and outside blues, is a multi-instrumentalist and arranger that brings many musical ideas and stylistic influences to the band. Dave Groninger lays down some joyously greasy jump and boogie-style blues guitar, always respectful of the music that he has taken so much inspiration from (check out his hip lead on his composition, Clap Your Hands, for an ultra-cool Guitar Slim via Louis Jordan jump solo!). Trent Peechatka, who toured with Long John Hunter, also plays some beautiful acoustic piano and hip organ throughout, while staying true to heroes like Otis Spann.
On this recording, Nate Myers & The Aces welcome some very special guests to help tap into the rural and jook blues from which they take so much inspiration. W.C. Handy Award winner Big Jack Johnson plays guitar on five tracks and Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers, Buddy Guy, Jimbo Mathus And His Knockdown Society) plays guitar on another.
Big Jack's presence is especially strong, fitting in some beautiful BB King-esque leads on the lament and tribute-for-a-friend, Walt, funky fills on Let It Go and Now Or Never and a Myers Brothers-by-way-of-Clarksdale Jukin' With Jack. Big Jack's influence on Nate Myers & The Aces and their love and respect for this great musician is evident in how they play off of each other.
Special attention, thanks and appreciation should also be paid to Jimbo Mathus, whose recording supervision and expertise brought together the talents of the band with that ever elusive Mississippi mojo. Under Jimbo's direction, the best of Nate Myers & The Aces was brought to the forefront on these recordings. As if that wasn't enough, Jimbo also plays some stellar guitar on If It Were Up To Me.
The songs contained on The Lonesome Plowboy represent not only a period of productive growth for Nate Myers & The Aces but a renewed appreciation for the music they love so much. So call your friends, grab some bar-b-que, some red beans and rice and make sure your mug is full . . . it's time to party with Nate Myers & The Aces!

- Jeff Cameron
October 2004

reviews

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  • author: Evan

    This cd is very good, NATE is a very good harp player and an inspirion to my harping playing. The track LOMESOME PLOWBOY is a rad tune nate got the fast pasted playing down. cd is just dynamite I highly reccomented this cd to alll the blues lovers...............

  • Wonderful collection of original blues songs
    author: Jen Johnston

    This CD has had me smiling from the moment I popped it in the CD player. Each song has its own special, creative sound and if I close my eyes I feel like I'm enjoying Nate and his band live. The band has so much fun playing each song and that vibe comes through on the CD. I'll be enjoying this collection for a long time - yet I'm eagerly awaiting the band's next release!

  • "Great feel and dynamics, and good songs . . ."
    author: Tom Hyslop, Blues Revue June/July 2005

    Based on his recognizable surname, a Pennsylvania-based harp man borrows a historically significant name for his band. It sounds like the basis for an embarrassment of epic proportions. Not so. Nate Myers & The Aces achieve a credible Chicago sound; their delivery (and Myers’ casual vocals) are deceiving. The band sounds loose but is actually just relaxed and sloppy in the right places. Great feel and dynamics, and good songs --- the jumping “Clap Your Hands”, the Berry-esque rocker “If It Were Up To Me, “ the requisite powerhouse harp workout (“Jawbreaker”), a greasy Slim Harpo-style number (“Fried Chicken”), push-me-pull-you funk (“Now or Never”) among them – make ‘The Lonesome Plowboy’ an engaging self-released album. A trip to Clarksdale to record with Jimbo Mathus and to enlist Big Jack Johnson to play guitar on five tracks didn’t hurt matters.

  • "Well played and not overly produced...a real nice piece."
    author: Bill Wilson, Billtown Blues Association Newsletter Jan/Feb 2005

    Nate Myers has been a part of the blues scene around Billtown for years. An exceptional harp player, great vocalist, superb songwriter and dynamic performer, Nate captures the audience with ease and holds their attention throughout his performance. The Lonesome Plowboy, Myers’ second release, manages to capture some of that excitement. The CD features a wide variety of styles, ranging from Jump to straight-ahead Chicago Blues and soulful ballads...a great showcase for the multi-talented son of Billtown. Over the years, I have come to love Nate as a little brother or, at times, a son. His love for, and dedication to, the music has served as an inspiration. He is incredibly well versed in various blues styles, feeling just as comfortable with jug band music from the 20’s and 30’s as the electrified styles from Chicago, New Orleans, Kansas City and beyond. The Lonesome Plowboy illustrates that well. This one is well played and not overly produced...a real nice piece. The band is tight and right on the money and Myers is in good form. This one is recorded at Jimbo Mathus’ Delta Recording Studio in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and features blues legend Big Jack Johnson on five of the thirteen tracks. Mathus makes an appearance as well. These make for a really nice finishing touch, but are hardly necessary. This band is worth hearing.

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