Ben Levin Holiday Blues Revue

October 19, 2024

Ben Levin

Holiday Blues Revue

Vizztone Label

This holiday revue was co-produced by Ben and Matt Hueneman. It was recorded in Newport, Kentucky not far from Levin’s Cincinnati home. Ben and his father Aron, wrote most of the album’s tracks with his father adding some great guitar to accompany Ben’s skillful piano stylings.

The album opens with Candy Cane featuring Lil’ Ed of The Blues Imperials, on guitar and vocal, and the lyric “I’ll see her tonight, walkin’ down the lane, she’s my baby, she’s my Candy Cane”. “It’s Christmas Time”, a classic originally performed by Charles Brown and first recorded in 1975, sports the verse “so everyone will know, it’s Christmas time”, featured are the rhythm section of Jim Anderson, bass; and Art Gore, drums.

“Elf Boogie” is performed as a classic boogie-boogie and Levin is the best at this presentation “grab some livin’ for a little bit, it won’t take much, for the elf’s to get lit”. “Next Christmas” features a vocal from Chitlin’ Circuit veteran Sonny Hill, with saxophonist Joe Polen, bassist Walter Cash Jr., and drummer Cole Baker. “Christmas Mood” is a vocal duet with Candice Ivory, again with Joe Polen on sax, and some great Hammond B-3 organ from Levin.

On “Forgot Mrs. Claus” Levin chimes “jumped out of bed, couldn’t find a thing…I said oh, man, don’t have a thought…I forgot Mrs. Claus” with Takuto Asano on guitar, and Eli Gonzalez on saxophone. “Regifted” is another song co-written with his father Aron who plays some more great guitar while Levin sings “it’s been a long December…it may be cold outside but it’s freezing in that woman’s eyes”. The instrumental “Skating” was originally recorded by Vince Guaraldi in 1965.

“Lump of Coal” features the vocal and guitar of New Orleans’ Lil’ Jimmy Reed “no need to run, we’re still on the south pole” with more guitar from Aron. On the closer “Santa Con” Levin shows us again the technical virtuosity that makes him a great pianist “I’m the real Santa, send me your letter…I saw another Santa dancing with Mrs. Claus”.

Ben Levin is a true student of the music with a passion for its history. 2022’s “Take Your Time” included bassist Bob Stroger, along with Lil’ Ed and Lil’ Jimmy Reed and reached number seven on the Living Blues Radio Chart, while 2023’s “Back To Baton Rouge” climbed to number two. His touring schedule this year included the Chicago Blues Fest, the Bayfront Blues Fest, and a trip to Japan. In 2020 Levin received a Blues Music Award nomination as Best Emerging Artist. Celebrate this years Christmas with Ben Levin.

Richard Ludmerer

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