Ben Levin: Take Your Time: Take Your Time, Jazzman Blues, Why Do Things Happen To Me, I’ve Been Drinking Muddy Water, Hole In The Wall, Out Of Your Own Way, Bad Boy, You Know You’re So Fine, Longer Hours, Shorter Pay, Lump Of Coal, Love You Baby, Mr. Stroger’s Strut
Ben Levin: Take Your Time Personnel: Ben Levin: piano, vocals (tracks 1, 5, 6, 11); Bob Stroger: bass: (tracks 2, 7, 11, 12), vocals: (tracks 2, 7, 11); Lil’ Ed Williams: guitar/vocals (tracks 3, 5, 9); Lil’ Jimmy Reed: guitar/vocals: (tracks 4, 8, 10); Johnny Burgin: guitar (tracks 1, 6); Noah Wotherspoon: guitar (tracks 2, 7, 11, 12), Aron Levin: guitar (tracks 3, 4, 8, 9, 10); Walter Cash: bass (3, 4, 8, 9, 10); Ricky Nye: drums: (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12); Shorty Starr: drums: (tracks 1, 6); Kris Butler: conga (track 6)
Ben Levin: Take Your Time was produced by Ben Levin and Matt Hueneman and released on the VizzTone Label Group.
The 12-track release, Take Your Time, marks Ben Levin’s fifth album, which is impressive indeed for a man who is still in his 20s. However young he may be though, when it comes to the Blues, he is already a seasoned veteran as a bandleader, composer, singer, and pianist. Ben first came to my attention with his October 2021 release entitled, Still Here, (reviewed in the Music Scene) and he literally knocked my socks off with this vintage Blues sound.
His latest 2022 release, Take Your Time, is a perfect blend of original Ben Levin songs, as well as well-chosen songs from other Blues greats including Bob Stroger (dob 1930), who plays some impressive bass and sings on the release.
The release opens with the title track, a Ben Levin song entitled, Take Your Time, which is totally delicious, up-tempo, Honky Tonk piano. Joining Ben piano are Shorty Starr on drums, and Johnny Burgin on guitar.
Next on the playlist is the song, Jazzman Blues written by Bob Stroger with where the catchy lyrics proclaim "…Jazz ain’t nothing but a bluesman blowing his horn…." Bob Stroger plays bass and lends his vocals on this one, with Noah Wotherspoon on guitar, Ricky Nye on drums, and Ben Levin on piano.
Slowing the pace is Why Do Things Happen To Me written by Roy Hawkins in 1950. This Blues lament has a slow and sultry long guitar intro that makes this song a knockout. Joining Ben on this one is Lil’ Ed Williams working his magic on slide guitar and vocals, Ben’s dad Aron Levin on guitar, Walter Cash on bass, and Ricky Nye on drums.
The release picks up the tempo on the track, I’ve Been Drinking Muddy Water, an Otis Smothers song that dates to 1962 has Lil’ Jimmy Reed on guitar and vocals, Aron Levin on guitar, Walter Cash on bass, and Ricky Nye on drums. Trilling piano and mighty fine guitar and bass work on this one makes this one a stunner.
Hole In The Wall written by Brownie Mcghee features Ben on piano, Lil’ Ed Williams on guitar, and Ricky Nye on drums. Ben and Lil’ Ed Williams join their voices on this catchy one that will have you singing along.
Ben Levin shows his songwriting prowess on Out Of Your Own Way. Johnny Burgin plays guitar on this track, with Shorty Starr on drums, and Kris Butler on conga. Bad Boy written by Eddie Taylor in 1955 is Chicago Blues at its best. Joining Ben are Bob Stroger on bass and vocals, Noah Wotherspoon on guitar, and Ricky Nye on drums.
You Know You’re So Fine written by J. West opens with Ben’s piano, joined by Lil’ Jimmy Reed on vocals and guitar, along with Aron Levin on guitar, Walter Cash on bass, and Ricky Nye on drums. This song has a sparkling piano segment that defines it and firmly establishes it as a hot property.
Father and son, Aron Levin and Ben Levin share the writing credits on Longer Hours, Shorter Pay, as well as on Lump Of Coal. Lil’ Ed Williams takes over vocals on Longer Hours, Shorter Pay. Ben’s piano keeps the pace, with Aron Levin and Walter Cash on guitars, and Ricky Nye on drums. Great instrumentalism and catchy lyrics make this one another standout on the release.
Slowing the pace, is Lump of Coal, with a stunning piano intro. Lil’ Jimmy Reed’s vocals and guitar lead the way, with Aron Levin and Walter Cash on guitars, and Ricky Nye on drums. Sliding into the home stretch of the release is the K. Milton/J. Brown song entitled, Love You Baby, with Ben on piano and vocals, joined by Bob Stroger on bass and vocals, Noah Wotherspoon on guitar, and Ricky Nye on drums.
Ben honors Bob Stroger with his composition entitled Mr. Stroger’s Strut to close out the release. Joining Ben on piano are Bob Stroger on bass, Noah Wotherspoon on guitar, and Ricky Nye on drums. This last song on the release totally shines and is the perfect culmination for a well-crafted release. With five impressive albums under his belt, I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for Ben Levin whose star continues to shine.
Until next time, keep enjoying the music!
Websites where you can purchase Ben Levin: Take Your Time: Ben Levin Music, Amazon, Barnes & Noble
For more information on Ben Levin, please visit: www.BenLevinPiano.com
For upcoming Ben Levin Shows information, please visit: https://benlevinpiano.com/shows
Ben Levin social media:
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BenLevinPiano
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/benlevinpiano
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