Rip Lee Pryor

Nobody But Me

Electro-Fi Records

Richard “Rip Lee” Pryor, the son of the late Blues harp legend “Snooky” Pryor, was born in 1958. Rip Lee learned the harp by listening to his fathers records and even did some touring with his dad. Rip Lee released his debut album “Pitch a Boogie Woogie” in 1998. He prematurely retired from the music business only to finally return.

This is Rip Lee’s second album and first for Electri-Fi Records, the same label on which his dad recorded. On this album Rip Lee utilizes a minimalistic approach to the Chicago styled blues he loves. Rip Lee plays acoustic guitar and harmonica and uses a harp rack similar to the one used by Bob Dylan. He is only accompanied by Alec Fraser, bass; and Bucky Berger, drums.

Rip Lee is able to coax all the harp tones and warbles needed for his own style of down home Chicago Blues. His rhythm guitar playing is steady and his vocal delivery friendly. He pays tribute to his dad; of the twelve songs here five were authored by the elder Pryor. “Shake Your Boogie was recorded several times the earliest being in 1984 on an album of the same name often referred to as the Big Bear sessions. “Crazy Bout You Baby” was recorded by “Snooky” in 1987 on Blind Pig Records. “Heard The News” and “I Got My Eyes On You” come from 1999’s “Can’t Stop Blowin” on Electri-Fi. “Pitch a Boogie Woogie” is from a 2002 British import on the Westside label.

Rip Lee also covers some of his other influences. “You Gotta Move” is the Elmore James classic. Included also are three songs from Sonny Boy Williamson II (Rice Miller). “Wake Up Baby”; “Keep Your Business to Yourself” and “One Way Out”.

Rip Lee has authored three originals for this album, “Nobody But Me”, “Lonesome” and “Stuck On Stupid”.

This is stripped down music for real blues aficionados. I would have preferred it if a lead guitarist and/or keyboardist were included in the making of this album. I hope to hear more from Rip Lee and wouldn’t mind a full band effort next time. Rip Lee has got the gift.

Richard Ludmerer