Clearly a classic

Eddy Clearwater's riding high
on the past and present

by Don Fluckinger

Classic-blues fans might not be familiar with Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater. His name hasn't been written as large as those of his '50s Chicago-blues scene contemporaries such as Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and Otis Rush. But on stage, Clearwater leaves a lasting impression -- if only for his flamboyant duck-walk style and the Indian headgear he sometimes wears for live performances.

On Thursday, September 21, Worcester blues fans will get a rare chance to see Clearwater play when he comes to Gilrein's for a record-release party. He'll also close out day one of the (free) Boston Blues Festival, on Saturday, September 23, at Boston's Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade, where festival promoters will honor him with a Lifetime Achievement award. Packing some serious blues-guitar heat and showing streaks of Chuck Berry rock-and-roll genius in his songs, the 65-year-old Clearwater and his "rock-a-blues" style leave no doubt that he belongs in the pantheon of Windy City players.

Clearwater's connection to Native Americans runs deep. He's one-quarter Cherokee, and permanently adopted his nickname after releasing his 1980 album, The Chief. On his new Bullseye Blues CD, Reservation Blues, he explores the parallels of his African-American and Native American forefathers.

"I feel that the American Indian and the American black man have a lot in common," he says. "We've gone through some of the same oppression. [Native Americans] suffered in the same manner as we did, they lost their country -- and I feel a part of that."

Clearwater was born in 1935 in Macon, Mississippi. When he was 13, he moved to Birmingham, Alabama, and began his career playing with several gospel ensembles, including the Five Blind Boys of Alabama. In 1950, his uncle persuaded him to move to Chicago, and Clearwater arrived on Chicago's West Side with a head full of gospel and country blues. Hanging around with the likes of Magic Sam and Otis Rush, he acquired a taste for urban soul and raucous electric blues. In 1957, he heard Chuck Berry's "Oh Baby Doll" and was blown away. That influence became the last building block of his sound.

Berry himself eventually complimented Clearwater's abilities, which was both good and bad for the blues man. While this was high praise from a great artist, it prompted blues purists to dismiss Clearwater as a Berry imitator. But today, he's acknowledged as a Chicago blues originator who's not afraid to try different things -- and as a fiery entertainer to boot.

On Reservation Blues -- as on his last CD produced by Duke Robillard -- Clearwater throws stylistic change-ups on practically every track, moving from straight Chicago blues to rollicking rock to country-style dance numbers and even includes some gospel and a few ballads. Local blues regulars Robillard and Matt McCabe play on the album, which also features a cameo by Chicago harmonica legend Carey Bell, on "Find Yourself."

"I don't tend to limit myself to just one style, I like them all," Clearwater says. "One day I may be in a deep-blues mood, and the next day I may be in a jovial mood and I want to play up-tempo rock-and-roll type stuff -- it all depends on the mood at the time."

It turns out that Robillard and Clearwater are mutual fans, with Clearwater enjoying Robillard's material since "back when he was in Roomful of Blues." Robillard jumped at the opportunity to produce Clearwater's 1998 CD Cool Blues Walk and was invited back for the new album.

"Duke has such great concepts, and he knows how to put them across," Clearwater says.

While many of his peers either have passed away or are dramatically slowing down, Eddy Clearwater's popularity is at an all-time peak. He and his traveling band have been touring throughout the United States, Europe, and even Russia, riding the momentum of his three-CD Bullseye Blues run -- starting with 1997's Mean Case of the Blues -- and a spate of reissues on other labels, from Delmark to ROIR.

Heart surgery sidetracked Clearwater for several months during 1997, but he isn't about to waste the new recognition. In fact, while he isn't touring, he's preparing to open a Chicago nightclub, called Reservation Blues. Although he bought the building almost three years ago, the permits and licenses needed will finally be coming through in the next 45 days -- and Clearwater intends to throw a month-long grand opening to celebrate.

"I'm going to keep touring, periodically," Clearwater says, "but when I'm in Chicago I'm going to be appearing at my own club more and tour less. When I tour, I'll be doing bigger venues like festivals and some concerts. I'll do some clubs, but not as many as now -- I am definitely going to cut back on that."

Eddy Clearwater plays at 8:30 p.m. on September 21 at Gilrein's with the Jason James Blues Band. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the show. Call (508) 791-2583. For more info on the Boston Blues Fest, call (781) 665-3083, or visit www.bluestrust.com.