Live at the Turning Point

Cuban-born vocalist/harmonicist Felix Cabrera and American guitarist/vocalist Jimmy Vivino are far from a combination of oil and water. Instead they blend well together in a cool mix that is sophisticated, soulful, and very mindful of the tradition of electric Chicago blues. Vivino is a talented player on his instrument, his licks spare but singeing, while vocally he's quite reminiscent of Johnny Winter. Cabrera comes out of the instrumental tradition of Big Walter Horton, Magic Sam, and Little Sonny, with a piercing yet clearly defined sound, while his silky-smooth voice can be favorably compared to Sugar Blue. Together they tear into a single set of enjoyable urban blues as recorded at the Turning Point in Piermont, NY, splitting up singing duties on a very interesting set of covers, classic blues standards, and some originals. One of the more heads-up choices is a ten-minute instrumental take of the Eddie Harris soul-jazz evergreen "Listen Here," as Cabrera's harmonica leads the way on this ultimate organ-fired Chi-Town street strutter. Bob Dylan's "Maggie's Farm" is also a good pick, as both Vivino and Cabrera add humorous vocal jive, musical refrains from the Champs' hit "Tequila," and even hip licks from "Manteca" to the roots rockin' song — a sure hit. A classic blues like the steady-rolling 12-bar Howlin' Wolf tune "I Didn't Know," sung by Vivino, is a great warmup number for the band, while Paul Butterfield's "Lovin' Cup" is given an authentic treatment by Cabrera in a nonchalant, self-effaced statement, while the Sonny Boy Williamson perennial "Too Young to Die" is a blues shuffle with Vivino pleading his case to his maker. One of the lesser-known writers in the blues is Monk Higgins, whose slow-walking "Birds Nest on the Ground" might imply disaster, but instead Vivino admits the luck of the draw in finding a compatible woman, but then puts her down. Cabrera contributes "Animalism" in a funky organ groove courtesy of Eddie Bishai, the laconic "Self Argument in D Minor," and an upbeat Texas-style swinger, "Kid at Heart," all featuring his best work on the harmonica. James Oden's "Goin' Down Slow" gives Cabrera one last chance to showcase his vibrato-infused harp sound, and he more than delivers the goods. This is a very good recording, bordering on great if only it was a double-CD set, which would then give listeners a better indication of how extraordinary the compatible combination of Cabrera and Vivino truly is. Hopefully a follow-up, or second volume, is in order. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Rovi