2000.02 Now Dig This nr. 203 p. 34-35 "Screamin' Jay Hawkins: Live at the Olympia, Paris 1998"

Some things in life never change, and I'm happy to report that Screamin' Jay Hawkins is still as nutty as a fruitcake. I'm also glad to be able to say that he's still in superb voice and is still more than capable of out-performing almost all of his contemporaries. This, his latest release (and second for Last Call), was recorded at the Olympia in Paris in May 1998. Comparing it with the performances of fellow legends Little Richard and Chuck Berry l witnessed at Wembley that same year... well, there is no comparison. While Richard is happy to deliver a show that's all Vegas glitz and overblown camp, and Chuck Berry seems hell-bent on playing as badly as possible, Jay continues to delight with a solid show featuring first-class musicianship from a tight band playing the music properly - as it was meant to be. He still does it for real.

All of the usual suspects are here - "Alligator wine", "I feel alright", "Please don't leave me" and, of course, "I put a spell on you" - and all sound just as great / wacky as they always have done, though with the freedom a live gig allows, in extended form they pick up even extra sparkle. Jay spouts some terrific gobledegook throughout and turns in some performances that are nothing short of spectacular - witness "Bite it", an outrageous "Constipation blues", a superb rendition of Willie Mabon's "I don't know", a remarkable "Stand by me" and... well, the whole damn thing's just wonderful! Go and buy it right now! It's the best £14.49 I've spent in ages.

He's still my favourite lunatic.

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Author: Trevor Cajiao

• original source: Now Dig This