Music Review: The Black Keys: Chulahoma EP: the songs of Junior Kimbrough
Junior Kimbrough was a bar owner in Mississippi and died in the 1970’s. In addition to fathering an enormous family, he was also a blues song-writer. This homage by the Black Keys features six of his songs.
I must confess that I had not previously heard of Junior Kimbrough, nor any of the songs that are featured on this EP. Being very familiar with the Black Keys’ signature sound, I was curious to see how the Keys took on another artists’ songs, since most of their work is original material written by guitarist/singer Dan Auerbach. It was pretty apparent that they had a deep respect for these songs, so it was interesting to see how carefully (or carelessly) they decided to handle these songs.
Knowing these songs would’ve originally been played on acoustic guitar and voice, the Black Key’s recipe of voice, electric guitar and drums would seem a drastic change. And indeed, it has taken several listen-throughs for me to become comfortable with the adaptation of their sound. The Keys’ original tunes usually are built around Pat Carney’s funkified drum stylings, so the scaled-back approach to his playing on this project was a little surprising. Indeed, if there is a weak point to this project, I would have to say it is the drum line, which at times I feel was a little tacked on. The other elements, (voice and guitar) were already written. The only truly concocted part of this project was the drum beats, and Pat Carney’s decision to play down his presence is understandable, but it is a sad misuse of his unique drum stylings.
The songs themselves are sprawling, relaxed and slow-paced. It is an easy picture to envision Junior sitting outside his bar in Mississippi singing these songs. Obviously Junior didn’t have anywhere to go real quickly, but the Keys’ interpretation adds a restrained intensity. In part to the drum’s insistence, but also Auerbach’s fingers seem reluctant to let go of any note, giving a great tension to the songs.
I would not consider this the Black Keys’ greatest work. In fact, I would put it last on the “need to own” list for the Keys’ works. But it is obviously a labor of love for the boys from Akron – a project that they felt very strongly about doing, and in honoring one of their favorite songwriters. And as the band's final release under their contract with Fat Possum records, it is a fitting swan song. The Black Keys have moved to Nonesuch and are opening for Radiohead in the next several months. Now there's a weird concert to go see...
Grade: B-