Forty-six years ago Doc MacLean was playing Charlie Patton songs in Son House’s living room. From back porch to big porch. The storyteller. An emotional remapping of contemporary delta blues. At one time Blues Revue Magazine called him the “Prince of Darkness.” There’s redemption here beyond the simple, acoustic medium– and an appeal that reaches well beyond the Crossroads.
Doc MacLean has performed and recorded with a who’s who of first and second generation blues, roots and gospel artists such as Sam Chatmon, Peg Leg Sam, and Blind John Davis. Among many others, he supported Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter, and BB King. With Grammy winning producer Colin Linden and members of the Canned Heat and Mavis Staples bands he then recorded the groundbreaking and influential, “Narrow House” album.
Now best known for his solo work as a songwriter and storyteller, MacLean has more recently recorded in Africa. Last year his delta blues/west Africa single, “Africa Blues,” was playlisted by blues, folk, and world music stations across four continents. Doc’s current release, a Namibian recording, “Son House Died at Detroit,” is starting to spin, too. This real deal, old school troubadour still self drives to hundreds of shows every year…
‘JoJo Man (jojomanblues.blogspot.com)
