Various artistes/ Morgan Freeman's Symphonic Blues Experience

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Morgan Freeman's Symphonic Blues Experience/ Various artistes

Genre; Blues

Label: Ground Zero Blues Club Media/ Universal Music 

Rating: *****

Though he's primarily known as an actor, Morgan Freeman is also recognised for his passion for the blues. In 2001, he started the Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and in his latest project, he brings together some stellar artistes from the genre to present blues anthems with a symphonic touch.

As a performer, Freeman hardly appears in Morgan Freeman's Symphonic Blues Experience, a 12-track album running into a brisk 43 minutes. He recites a short introduction to the history and role of the blues in the opening track 'Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground' before singer Keith Johnson takes over.

Then on, we hear a wonderful line-up of artistes, with accompaniment by the Ground Zero Blues Club Band and the Chineke! Orchestra conducted by Martin Gellner. In the Indian context, what's significant is that V.G. Jairam, V.G. Jaishankar and Neale Murray of the Mumbai event company Hyperlink are among the nine producers credited in the album, with Helen Rogers being executive producer.

The arrangements are magnificent throughout, with the orchestra providing a cinematic or haunting flavour to some blues classics. What's also noteworthy is that the songs are based on traditional blues elements, without using gimmicky rock embellishments to cater to the wider whisky aaudience. Though listeners may be familiar with most songs, the presentation makes a difference.

The famous 'Crossroads', written by the legendary Robert Johnson, is sung here by Mississippi veteran Super Chikan, after which the great Taj Mahal presents 'Death Letter Blues', created by pioneer Son House. The blues standards include 'The Thrill Is Gone', popularised by BB King and sung here by Alvin Youngblood Hart, and 'Dust My Broom', written by Robert Johnson, popularised by Elmore James and presented on this album by the super-talented Lady Adrena.

The known names include Keb Mo, with a fresh take on vocals and guitar on the Albert King-popularised 'Cadillac Assembly Line', and Shemekia Copeland, who again gets a Robert Johnson number in 'Travelling Riverside Blues'. An interesting choice comes in the form of 'Somebody's Knocking', a song which JJ Cale wrote but never recorded, and which was ultimately sung by Eric Clapton. Here it is performed by Anthony Big A Sherrod, who chips in with three songs.

To complete the selection, there are the gospel-blues number 'I'll Take You There', where Tiarinii Jackson is joined by a choir, and 'I Lied To You' from the 2024 vampire film Sinners, sung here by Keith Johnson.

In the final analysis, one must mention the smooth coordination between and musical virtuosity of the Ground Zero Blues Club Band and Chineke! Orchestra. Some of those guitar riffs played by Alvin Youngblood Hart are in another space, keeping with the rawness that is necessary in the blues. This is an absolute must for any blues lover's collection, and Freeman deserves kudos for his flawless selection.


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