Livin' Blues - Hell's Session (1969)

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Livin' Blues - Hell's Session (1969)

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Livin Blues are without doubt the greatest Blues Band to come out of Holland, and to be honest, they deserved greater acclaim. This debut Studio Album (Although a latter release of early Sessions pre-dated this CD) featured Cesar Zuiderduik (Probably spelt the surname wrong) before he joined Hollands undisputed Kings of Rock i.e. Golden Earring. The music will appeal to those who found interest in the late 60s British Blues Boom (i.e. Fleetwood Mac,Savoy Brown,Groundhogs,Climax Blues Band etc). The music is tight, and Nico Christianson's vocals are extremely powerful. His version of "One night Blues" is an utter joy to listen to.Oh, and he is one hell of a Sax player to boot. Ted Oberg (Guitars) is top-drawer also, and really knows how to Boogie in the same manner as Kim Simmonds. Harp Player John LeGrand really added another dimension to the band too. Other highlights are the Title Track (Hells Session). Livin Blues' best Albums were the 1st 3 (Hells Session/Wang Dang Doodle and Bamboozled). Best Rockin' Tracks to listen to from the other 2 CDs are Hitch Hikin/Wang Dang Doodle and LB Boogie to name but 3. The song "Sunrise" is a beautiful slow Blues instrumental a la "Albatross".To those aspiring Blues Guitarist's, check this song out pronto. It is so basic yet totally awe-inspiring.The following Albums with Christianson (Live at Tweed Hill and Ram Jam Josie) were mediocre. When Christianson left in the mid 70s, he was replaced and the music switched to more Rock and less Blues, with Oberg now being the Main-man. Somehow, their appeal diminished. Christianson returned in the late 80s and a couple of albums followed (Snakedance and Live). I believe they are still currently going with only Christianson from the original line-up. Sadly, the latter output is for die-hard LB fans only. Hells Session is a great place to start though.

By Paul Watson, amazon

This Dutch blues band was formed in the Hague around 1967, becoming a regular outfit from 1969. The early line-up included Bjorn Toll (vocals), John Lagrand (harmonica), Ted Oberg (guitar), Ruud Fransen (bass) and Niek Dijkhuys (drums) but although the name remained wholesale changes soon took place, bringing in a new singer, Nicko Christiansen, and new bass and drums, Peter Kleinjan and Beer Klaasse, the latter pair being swiftly replaced by Gerard Strutbaum and Cesar Zuiderwijk, while keyboard player Henk Smitskamp was added. Other changes followed through the 70s, by which time the band’s repertoire was more inclined towards rock. Musicians involved included bass players Ruud van Buuren, Jan van der Voort, Jaap van Eijk and André Reynen, drummers John Lejeune, Herman van Boeyen, Cor van Beek, Michel Driessen, Kenny Lamb and Arjen Kamminga; the latter pair played in the band simultaneously for a spell. Smitskamp sometimes played bass, singer Johnny Frederiksz came in, as did organist Paul Vin and guitarist Ron Meyes.

Although best known in the Netherlands, Livin’ Blues also gained a following elsewhere in Europe, especially in Poland. At the start of the 80s, the band included Oberg, Christiansen, Evert Willemstein (bass) and Boris Wassenbergh (drums). Spin-off bands formed by ex-members of the Livin’ Blues included Nitehawk and the J&T Band, while most members also played with other Dutch blues and rock bands. The band recorded from 1968, cutting a few singles with its first album coming in 1969. The band appears to have drifted from the limelight after the early 80s but interest in its recorded work remained high into the new millennium.

~ allmusic

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Livin' Blues - Hell's Session (1969)

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Livin' Blues - Hell's Session (1969)

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