Marquise Knox – Black And Blue (Live)

26-12-2021

Born St. Louis, Mo, Marquise hails from a musical family deeply rooted in the Blues. He learned how to play guitar from his grandmother Lillie. He also played with his uncle Clifford, who was a major influence in Marquise's life. For Marquise, Blues is his heritage and way of life. He spent his early teenage years in St. Louis mentoring under the late great Blues legend, N.E.A. (National Endowment of the Arts) Heritage Fellowship recipient and Grammy Award winner Henry James Townsend. Marquise's talents have earned him performing rights with some of America's most notable blues performers such as blues legends B.B. King, Pinetop Perkins and David "Honeyboy" Edwards (the latter two also N.E.A. Heritage Fellows). He has also performed at dozens of festivals, and has toured all throughout Europe. During a visit to Clarksdale, Mississippi, Marquise was introduced to Sam Lay. Like other statesmen of the Blues, Sam took an immediate liking to Marquise and took it upon himself to help give Marquise's career a boost by insisting that Chad Kassem bring Marquise to the celebrated Blues series "Bluesmasters at the Crossroads," which has showcased a virtual who's-who of the Blues at Blue Heaven Studios in Salina, Kansas. Marquise was an immediate crowd favorite, and was adopted by all of the elders of the Blues in attendance that year. His obvious talent along with his deep knowledge of the Blues and vast respect for his elders made it clear Marquise had something special, and Kassem signed him to a three album deal. Knox's debut album "Manchild" was nominated for a Blues Music Award for Best New Artist Debut. The album was recorded when he was 16 with world reknowned guitarist Michael Burks and his band. The release received worldwide acclaim, including Living Blues' Best Debut Artist Award and a Blues Music Award nomination for Best Debut Artist. Marquise then recorded a direct-to-disc album while in town for the next year's Crossroads. Marquise released his second album, "Here I Am", once again recorded at the legendary Blue Heaven Studios in Salina, Kansas. It features Marquise and his band, with a little help from Wayne Sharp of Michael Burk's band sitting in on B-3 and piano. Nine originals, and three reverent covers of Marquise's favorite Muddy Waters tunes. "Black And Blue" is how I want to hear a live album sound. The entire concert, from announcement to encore, was thrown onto the tape, without fuss. And that's exactly what you get with this live album from Marquise Knox, a singer-guitarist (and harmonica player) from St. Louis. He learned to play the guitar from his grandmother Lillie and played with greats such as B.B. King, Pinetop Perkins and David "Honeyboy" Edwards. His debut album was released at the age of 14. This new album was recorded during the Bowlful Of Blues in Iowa in 2016. As I mentioned before, it is a recording of an entire concert of Knox and that is why this album sounds so very lively. How often do you hear an artist just telling jokes during a concert. Here the jokes like 'Your Mother Don't Know' are put on the album. Of course the music is the most important. The concert starts with 'It's Not Right', which reminds you wistfully of the sound of Luther Allison. Knox's guitar style is very similar to Luther Allison and Albert Collins. Knox also has a nice lived voice, which does the songs well. 'Sweet Smell' is a funky blues song, somewhat reminiscent of the work of Robert Cray. A nice lazily swinging song in which it is not surprising that the rhythm guitarist is occasionally wrong in terms of chords. In 'Commit A Crime' Knox first cheers up the audience and then starts off with a solid blues rock song. Here he also appears to be able to play the harmonica very well. The song sounds like a heavy brother of 'Smokestack Lightning'. 'You Keep Asking Me' is a soul blues with a gospel sound. It is somewhat reminiscent of The Impressions with Curtis Mayfield, especially the song 'It's Alright'. After calling on the audience to buy his CD, he continues with the slow-buses Bluesman, which is very similar to Willie Nelson's 'Nightlife'. Knox and his band close the concert with the encore 'One More Reason To Have The Blues', a solid funky blues rocker. Marquise Knox and his band deliver a very versatile and atmospheric live album here.

1 Intro 0:30

2 Its Not Right 7:10

3 When My Baby Moves 5:51

4 Smell Smell 4:40

5 Commit A Crime 7:00

6 You Keep Asking Me 5:00

7 Shine In The Rain 4:38

8 Your Mother Dont Know 2:04

9 Can A Young Man Play The Blues 8:38

10 Trying To Make A Living 0:35

11 Bluesman 7:45

12 Crowd Love 1:15