Bentley's Bandstand
Yes, Sugar Blue played harmonica on the Rolling Stones' "Miss You," but give the brother a break. He has done so much more than that and his new album Threshold is a soaring travelogue of the blues and beyond. Sugar Blue's harmonica is a mind-bending blend of Chicago blues and Parisian jazz, and sounds like no other player. But more than that, he brings an affecting cerebral touch to all the songs, whether it's originals like "Living Your Live" or covers of Junior Wells' "Messin' with the Kid." There is a little bit of out-there in these blues, and it's about time. The modern sounds of this essential musical style is stuck in guitarnastics, and needs someone to point the barrel in a new direction. Which is what is happening here. Even a new version of Elvis Presley's "Trouble" feels fresh. Maybe that's because Sugar Blue is more a world spirit than a traditional bluesman. He is traveling the outer edges, pulling in inspiration like a soulful sponge, and turning those thoughts and sounds into 21st century blues. The interview at the end of the album lets us find out what the man is all about. And it feels like Sugar Blue is just getting started.
