As stated on the cover, this CD dishes out 100% Blues, cooked up by a seasoned Blues veteran. Carter Chaplin has been listening to, and loving, blues since the tender age of 13. He has been playing blues since he was 17 and it shows. He's worked the last 10-15 years as a freelance guitarist, which gave him the opportunity to work and record with many of the greats in Canadian Blues. Some of the acts he's played with include; Dutch Mason, Rick Jeffery, and Joe Murphy. He's also shared the stage with among others; "Jumpin" Johnny Sansone, Joe Willie “Pinetop" Perkins”, and Downchild.
"Don’t Be So Evil" features 14 tracks, ten of which are hearty originals and runs the gamut of blues styles, starting off with the swinging Lowell Fulson title song, "Don't be so Evil", and moving into some Chicago, Texas, Delta, Rock and Swamp Blues. One recording that really stood out for me, was the Carter original “Good Eye on You”, a delta style tune, with some guitar, drums and interspersed with some really great harp. Rawkin, is a la swamp blues, a witty ditty that’ll get your body moving. Carter’s originals are tongue in cheek, but make you think, proving he’s a brilliant lyricist as well as an excellent guitar player.
He features many of the who’s who of Halifax blues journeymen on this recording, all filling various musical roles, they include; Joe Murphy and Rick Jeffery both on harp and vocals. Carter plays guitar on all tracks clearly demonstrating his prowess across so many styles. Carter co-produced this CD with the help of Ian O’Donnell, resulting in a recording that demonstrates a firm grasp of the blues and what it should sound like. Together they have created a CD that gets better with each new listen…the tight musicianship a few great covers and Carter's originals, all add up to a spicy mix that is sure to please any blues lover’s palate.
-- Sheila G. (Contributer to "Are You Blues")
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