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		DAVE WELD AND THE IMPERIAL FLAMES Burnin’ Love Delmark – DE 806
	Dave Weld’s first CD in 14 years is loaded with good time boogies. Weld, a 40-year veteran guitarist of the Chicago blues scene, gigged regularly with Hound Dog Taylor’s band. He played with many other Chicago blues greats in the house band at Eddie Shaw’s 1815 Club in the late ’70s. During this time, Weld fell under the guidance of Chicago slide guitarist J.B. Hutto, who introduced Weld to his nephew, Lil’ Ed Williams. The two Hutto mentors formed the Blues Imperials and recorded their ’86 debut Roughhousin’ on Alligator. Weld started his own band, the Imperial Flames, in ’88. They have been performing weekly ever since. Burnin’ Love is a raucous monster thanks to Harry Yaseen’s rattling piano and Abb Locke’s stunning tenor saxophone. Many of the disc’s 13 songs are hearty jams that last five to six minutes in duration. Special guest Williams performs cool, off-the-wall slide guitar fills and rhythm guitar. He plays romping guitar solos on two songs. Weld performs wonderfully wild lead guitar on all remaining songs. Have you ever had mixed emotions toward the city where you live? Listen to the minor chorded, Nelson Algren-inspired Ramblin’ as Weld releases those very sentiments. Within the lyrics, you easily sense the frustration Chicago-born Weld has with his city, which has one of the highest tax rates in the county, yet they are always broke and crying for more money. The song also deals with the difficulties of trying to make it in your hometown. Ramblin’ is the highlight of Weld’s 65-minute Delmark debut. The song connects the artist and audience on a psyche level that can only be achieved by titillating music. Sweet Shiny Brown Eyes is reprised from 1996’s Keep On Walkin’. It leaves a fresh impression thanks to Weld’s brown-eyed partner Monica Myhre. Their sweet vocal harmonies are as animated as Weld’s wicked and rocking slide guitar. It is obvious, from Weld’s liner notes and lyrics that he and Myhre are in love. She wrote two songs and they collaborated on two others. Her Talk Dirty is equally suited for a sultry blues diva or a glam rock gal like Joan Jett. Here, Myhre displays her burly pipes, but her voice is too pretty for the raw-edged Listen To Mama, which is about her tough-loving mother. Drummer Jeff Taylor sings I Got Mad and All Of These Things. Weld’s vocals are entertaining enough, but it’s easier to understand Taylor’s lyrics. Hutto, who also recorded for Delmark, is paid homage on his Things Are So Slow. Weld chose the song because it was relevant and he likes the songs Hutto released as 78 RPMs for Chance Records. The lyrics carry a heavy weight on Donnie Lee – inspired by Weld’s mom, who past away in April 2007. The burden is so arduous; it robs the song of the same vigor that’s present on other songs. Still, it reveals Weld’s burning desire to rebuild and achieve goals despite whatever obstacles get in his way. Weld cut his teeth with Hutto and has a long-standing relationship with Williams, but Weld is no mere copycat of his mentor or colleague. If you have ever wondered what houserockin’ music sounds like, listen to Burnin’ Love. Tim Holek A similar version of this review appeared in Living Blues Magazine issue 2001. A similar version of this review appeared in Living Blues Magazine issue 208 August 2010. Review copyright © by Tim Holek, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission.