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That magic touch

Session star Terry Evans steps out on his own

By Darrell Jonsson
For The Prague Post
March 14th, 2007 issue

COURTESY PHOTO
The in-demand Evans belts out a soulful blend of blues, R&B, country and gospel.
Speaking of the rich blues, rock, country and gospel music heritage of the American South, Terry Evans says, “There are people who listen to it and study it forever, but they can’t do it — they just don’t have that magic touch.” Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, rhythm guitarist and vocalist Evans has a magic touch that’s been in constant demand since the 1970s. Over the years, such artists as Marvin Gaye, Big Joe Turner, Pops Staples, John Fogerty and Ry Cooder have added Evans’ soulful work to their recordings and performances.
Much of Evans’ early background included working what he describes as the “predominantly black clubs in the South” known as the chitlin’ circuit. In the early ’70s, his songwriting and Los Angeles club appearances with Bobby King drew the attention of Cooder and Maria Muldaur, who invited him into the studio to add some magic to their work. Since then Evans has had what he calls “a steady flow” of session gigs resulting in two gold record awards for his work: on John Lee Hooker’s 1989 CD, The Healer (Razor and Tie label), and John Fogerty’s 1986 CD, Eye on the Zombie (Dreamworks label).
Evans doesn’t find it strange that artists like Cooder and Fogerty, who have no direct heritage in the U.S. South, have taken so thoroughly to that region’s musical spell. As he says, “We are all sort of entwined in it together. … It’s kind of universal — maybe these are old spirits from the past. I’ve been working with Cooder for a long time, and he just has a natural thing for this music; he has a good spirit and it comes out in his producing and playing. And Fogerty is pretty much the same. They used to perceive Fogerty as rock ’n’ roll, but he has a country bayou style that’s very, very unique. Both of these guys are good writers, and they have really beautiful feelings when they create their music.”
Terry Evans

When: Sunday, March 18, at 9
Where: Lucerna Music Bar
Tickets: 380 Kč, available through Ticketpro and at the venue

Evans has recorded with Cooder ever since his 1976 Chicken Shack up to this year’s My Name is Buddy. And Cooder has returned the favor by frequently contributing to Evans’ solo CDs as producer, songwriter and guitarist. Not that Evans ever had problems attracting first-rate talent. On his first solo CD in 1993, Blues for Thought (on the Pointblank label), he was supported by players like former George Harrison and Eric Clapton drummer Jim Keltner and bassist Larry “The Mole” Taylor, a John Mayall and Canned Heat alumni.
Fire in the Feeling, the title of Evans’ 2005 CD on the Crosscut label, is not an exaggeration. This spectrum of R&B, blues, Memphis soul, country and gospel influences is a perfect reflection of Evans, who says, “I’m a little bit of all of it. I started out in the church singing gospel, and then rock ’n’ roll and the street corner doo-wop stuff. And then we were lovers of Sam Cooke; he was like a messiah to us when I was coming up. So I tried to incorporate his style into my music. And then we had the [Mississippi] Delta guys like Elmore James and John Lee Hooker that I listened to a lot.”
Those who enjoy blues, blues rock or the specific soul magic of the U.S. South will find no shortage of pleasurable moments at Evans’ upcoming show. Returning to Prague for the second time in his career, Evans says, “I’m looking forward to having a beautiful time there. I want all of us to get together, feel the music, feel the blues and have a good party.”

Darrell Jonsson can be reached at features@praguepost.com


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