Big Joe Duskin – Cincinnati Stomp – Arhoolie Records CD 422

This 1995 expanded 18-song re-release of an original 1979 12-cut collection brings to the fore the majesty, power, and brilliance of this Alabama-to-Cincinnati blues and boogie piano titan. 

A friend of this Blog, Cincinnati blues piano giant-in-his-own-right Ricky Nye, has long advocated the astonishing magnificence of Duskin’s blues and boogie stylings as one of the major influences in his development and career, and one listen to this astounding collection will wholly reinforce that reasoning.

One can certainly well perceive Duskin’s piano inspirations throughout the broad cloth of this disc, blues and boogie piano powers including Pete Johnson, Fats Waller, Meade Lux Louis, Albert Ammons, Memphis Slim, and Roosevelt Sykes. 

There is such musical clarity to Duskin’s approach.  A commanding power never intrudes and lays forth with undeniably authority the keyboard domination Duskin attained.  Each note resonates with crisp unfettered purpose. 

The left-hand rumbling and expertise, the ringing right-hand flourishes, and sense of timing; my, but they simply do not bow to anyone’s competencies.

And what a voice!  If there ever was a party-in-the-making, it is that expressive, assertive, and assured vocal delivery!  Bravo!

On a mix of flabbergasting instrumental piano workouts to cuts including bass, drums, and guitar (including the fine efforts of Bob Margolin and Jimmy Johnson), this is a resounding blues and boogie collection by any measurable metric!

I am heartened that Ricky Nye is out there playing frequently and keeping the Cincinnati piano heritage of Duskin, H-Bomb Ferguson, and Pigmeat Jarrett alive.  Pick this one up and revel in the cloak of Cincinnati piano royalty.

Highly recommended blues, indeed!