Pete Anderson – Even Things Up (Deluxe Edition) – Little Dog Records LDVT001, 73:34 ****1/2:
(Pete Anderson – guitar, harmonica, drums, percussion, vocals; Michael Murphy – Hammond organ, electric piano, accordion, key bass, vocals; Herman Matthews – drums; Jeff Donovan – drums; Maxine Waters – vocals; Bekka Bramlett – vocals; Chris Rota – drums; Dennis Gurwell – keyboards, accordion; Greg Hanna – bass; Lee Thornburg – trumpet; David Woodford – saxophone)
While not a member of the Grateful Dead, it has been a long, strange trip for Pete Anderson. Growing up in the industrial confines of Detroit, it seemed unusual that his first musical influence would be country and western. The inevitable exposure to Elvis Presley, and the irrepressible rockabilly sound, sealed his fate as a musician. After high school, he traversed the country, soaking in the cultural landscape. Returning to Michigan, he transformed into a devotee of Muddy Waters, and embraced the blues. The guitar hooks and bravado of blues men served as a primer for articulating his personal struggles.
He relocated to Arizona in the late sixties and became a regular on the blues/rock scene. Predictably, Anderson relocated to Los Angeles. A chance meeting with then unknown, Dwight Yoakam (a fellow Midwesterner), would change his fortunes. Numerous platinum recordings and successful tours put Anderson on the radar of the emerging country scene. He became a respected producer, working with Rosie Flores, Michelle Shocked, the Meat Puppets, The Backsliders, The Lonesome Strangers and Thelonious Monster, to name a few. Additionally, he would be instrumental in reinvigorating the Bakersfield sound. Continuing his association with Yoakam, the now producer became an executive, with the inception of Little Dog Records. Serving in the capacity as label president, Anderson signed and developed talent that reflected his vision. Despite being involved in production, he never lost his commitment for playing music, especially the blues.
Even Things Up heralds a celebration of a road-tested blues artist. Displaying a variety of styles, Anderson, aided by his studio band, creates a scintillating assortment of blues-based material. The opening track, a Chicago blues treatment, “Honky Tonk Girl,” distills a Midwest auditory theme into a country swing storyline. The guitar lines are crisp and receive support from the soulful horn section (Lee Thornburg and David Woodard from Tower of Power). The barking vocals convey the power of this distinctive genre. The process is repeated with a rockabilly flavor on “One And Lonely Fool”. Switching to slide guitar, “That’s How Trouble Starts” utilizes the Hammond organ chops of Michael Murphy and the gospel-inflected, vocal refrain of Maxine Waters. “Stop Me” adds a New Orleans style cadence with playful lead vocals, accordion and organ accompaniment. Murphy gets to sing lead on the smoky “Room With A View”, as his atmospheric organ sets off the stellar guitar of Anderson.
More than simple format, there are striking instrumental pieces. With a surprising latin/samba construct, “Wes’ Side Blues” swings with jazzy bounce. A funky edge inhabits “Booker Twine” with dual leads, and a cohesive rhythm section. Anderson explores the Delta on “Prophet For Profit”, a wry commentary that features acoustic guitar and harmonica. Anderson stretches out his singing prowess on the ballad “Still In Love”, bringing raw emotion to complement the fluid guitar licks.
The deluxe CD has added four songs from a live set, recorded at the Starry Plough in Berkeley California. Of note is a reworking of “Still In Love” with a gritty vocal performance by Bekka Bramlett. The engaging set is captured with equal proficiency. Pete Anderson’s Even Things Up is exuberant and deftly executed.
TrackList: Honky Tonk Girl; Booker Twine; That’s How Trouble Starts; Even Things Up; Wes’ Side Blues; One And Only Lonely Fool; Stop Me; Dogbone Shuffle; Still In Love; Room With A View; Blue Guitar; Prophet For Profit; Still In Love; 110 In The Shade; Working Class; Feels Like Mississippi
— Robbie Gerson
