Chulahoma by Black Keys (The) (CD, May-2006, Fat Possum Records)

A tribute to the late Junior Kimbrough of Hudsonville, Mississippi, "Chulahoma" is a 6-track, 28 minute collection of songs that were originally written by the late Mississippi Delta shaman. Reworked and recorded by the Black Keys in their own Akron, OH studio, working from the same modal electric blues that Kimbrough applied for decades -- with the common link between Auerbach and Kimbrough -- a desperate wail coupled with subtly sophisticated guitar playing. But the songs sound completely different from the originals, sometimes distorting lyrical structure but mostly throwing a hazy, almost psychedelic trip onto what were once melodically down tuned blues arrangements. Chulahoma is more a blues record than a blues rock one, with Auerbach crooning and handling his guitar with precision, holding on to every note as if it were his last. The opening of "My Mind Is Ramblin'" is almost taunting and seductive with its slow, brooding guitar work. What's alarming, though, is when Auerbach's voice transforms from his usual raucous timbre to a deeply Southern-infused bass. On "Meet Me In The City" it's almost impossible to tell him apart from someone who's been performing this sort of music for years. It's not Carney's fault, though, that his drum playing ultimately takes a backseat to the guitar and vocals; his usual wild style would be inappropriate here, but the album misses it just a tad.

TRACK LIST:
1. Keep Your Hands Off
2. Have Mercy on Me
3. Work Me
4. Meet Me in the City
5. Nobody but You
6. My Mind is Ramblin

I absolutely adore The Black Keys, and "Chulahoma" is tops from Dan Auerbach and Pat Carney. Two dudes, no bass. All of these songs are covers from blues great Junior Kimbrough. This album is killer and a must if you are into Akron, Ohio's finest duo. I like to classify the Keys' as "electric blues".