Almost a decade has passed since Dick Heckstall-Smith, the greatest blues saxophonist, left this world. Associated mostly with COLOSSEUM, a band he co-founded with Jon Hiseman, once they’d stopped, he became a member of BIG CHIEF, from that group’s very start in 1976. It was there that Dick reunited later on with another COLOSSEUM alumnus, bassist Tony Reeves, yet only one of their tapes that saw the light of day previously featured Heckstall-Smith, and it wasn’t a full set, unlike the forthcoming “Blues In Twos”, a document of 1982 concert at “The Pegasus” in Stoke Newington.
The energetic set consists of BIG CHIEF’s originals as well as chosen covers of pieces by Randy Newman, Larry Williams, Bill Withers. Dr. John and Fats Domino, so it’s in equal measures jazz and rock, with a blinding playing from all concerned. A fitting tribute to Dick’s talent.
Blues In Twos
1. Rock Awhile
2. Slow Down
3. Big Chief
4. Uhur
5. Breakin’ Up Somebody’s Home
6. Hornblower
7. Let The Four Winds Blow
8. I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free)
9. Rock Island Rocket
10. Stormy Monday
11. Such A Night
12. Last Night I Had A Dream
13. Hots It
14. Use Me
15. Blues In Twos
16. Breakin’ Up Somebody’s Home (studio version)
