Billy Flynn And Friends – Blues Today – Easy Baby Records CD200

This gripping 14-cut 1997 release offers exemplary blues from the guitarist, mandolinist, singer, and songwriter whose resume surely would occupy many pages.  From the time of his emergence on the blues scene from his native Green Bay, Wisconsin, Flynn has backed, recorded with, and played with everyone from Jimmy Dawkins, Otis Rush, Kim Wilson, Mighty Joe Young, Oscar Wilson, Luther Allison, Mississippi Heat, Jim Liban, The Cash Box Kings, Willie Kent, Bryan Lee, James Wheeler, Bill Lupkin & the Blues Coalition, Blue Fuller & the Chicago All-Stars, Mark Hummel, Little Smokey Smothers, Billy Boy Arnold, Johnny Littlejohn, Snooky Pryor, John Brim, Little Arthur Duncan, Willie Buck, Deitra Farr, The Legendary Blues Band, Sunnyland Slim, Barrelhouse Chuck, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, and Kid Ramos, among so many others. 

Why has Flynn enjoyed such a welcoming blues career?  Never one prone to histrionics or over-playing, Flynn learned his lessons well, starting off with his mid-1970s stint on the road with Jimmy Dawkins.  It is as if he is a blue sponge who knew how to idyllically commit to memory the best musical lessons he learned from countless nights on bandstands everywhere, while necessarily and completely omitting the most messy and useless ones that would only serve to undermine his total conviction to the blues.

Flynn’s approach is best summed-up with one word; tasteful.  In all facets of his art, no matter the instrument, his position in a band, either in support or out front, or style of blues.  Flynn brings the goods that makes other blues musicians stand stage side and quietly observe out of respect.

Backing Flynn on this superlative release are bassists Nick Charles, Mike Flynn, and Bob Stroger, ted Harvey and Brady Williams on drums, Dave Waldman on harmonica, Pinetop Perkins and Ken Saydak on keyboards, and Willie Kent on vocals along with Flynn.  However, make no mistake; this is Flynn’s show, and his blues visions are fully developed and realized, from song number on to song number 14.  Period.

Highlights to this reviewer include “Roadhouse,” “Nothin’ But Trouble,” the title cut, “Tough Times Again,” $200 Dresses,” “The Huckel Buck,” and “Heads Up,” though all are extremely commendable.  

This collection represents some of the best modern-day blues by an artist whose progression through the ranks of the genre have resulted in his top-tier reputation among those who truly practice the art form, and those who know the music well.  It embodies the best of the blues as a category of music, and Flynn’s vast proficiencies are the direct reasons why.  Bravo!

Essential contemporary blues!