Is Seattle’s gloomy weather getting you down? Kick your autumn blues with Rick Estrin & the Nightcats.
Estrin, a formidable blues harpist Muddy Waters once called “outta sight,” fronts the swinging, jumping band formerly known as Little Charlie and the Nightcats.
Even when Little Charlie Baty headed the group, Estrin was out front with his wailing harmonica and pearly white grin, making happy with music that usually speaks to being down.
But Baty recently retired, leaving Estrin in charge. The Sacramento, Calif., group has now released its debut CD, “Twisted” (Alligator Records), and hit the road for a slew of dates, including a show at 9 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 14) at the Highway 99 Blues Club, 1414 Alaskan Way. Tickets are $17.
With Sonny Boy Williamson and Little Walter Jacobs among his heroes, Estrin puts a modern spin on tradition-based sound. Among the 14 songs on “Twisted,” “Take It Slow” is one of the true gems — a soulful, slow-burning tune that provides a full-body massage. “Back From the Dead,” “Bigfoot” and “Earthquake” also get four stars.
Add to this Estrin’s natural showmanship and devilish looks — pencil-thin mustache, vertical hair, natty attire and sly grin — and you’ve got a powerful antidote to Seattle’s fall gloom.
Born in San Francisco, Estrin immersed himself in African American culture and music in his early teens. After getting his first Ray Charles record, he was hooked. His first harmonica came at age 15, and a few years later the teenager was jamming with veteran bluesmen at black nightclubs.
After sitting in with Waters at a club on Chicago’s South Side when he was 20, the legendary bluesman called him aside, shook a finger in his face and said, “You outta sight, boy! you got that sound, boy. You play like a man, boy.”
Legend has it that Waters wanted Estrin to join him on the road, but the two musicians never connected in time and the opportunity was lost.
No matter. With his 1,000-watt grin, Estrin doesn’t look like a man with any regrets.
Joining Estrin at the Highway 99 are Nightcats J. Hansen, Lorenzo Farrell and a red-hot guitarist, Kid Andersen, formerly with Charlie Musselwhite.