"BORN IN THE HONEY" (DVD)

THE PINETOP PERKINS STORY

SAGEBRUSH PRODUCTIONS

BY PETER "BLEWZZMAN" LAURO © JUNE 2007

I have just had one of the best hours I've had in a very long time. During the last 60 minutes, I learned a lot of very interesting facts, heard some very good music, looked at some very cool pictures, saw lots of great video footage - historical and musical, and laughed my butt off - all while watching "BORN IN THE HONEY" - THE PINETOP PERKINS STORY.

"BORN IN THE HONEY" pretty much tells it all. It covers PINETOPS life from raising himself at the age of six right up to the present time. That eighty-eight year span surely saw it's share of ups and downs....Grammys, Handy's, fame, friendships, stabbings, explosions, deaths and alcohol abuse. Pinetop openly admits that "it was rough, but I made it". According to HUBERT SUMLIN, PINETOP "must have some of God in him".

Throughout their interviews, some very interesting, revealing, warm and comical stories are told by: ANN RABSON, BERNARD ALLISON, BOB MARGOLIN, BOBBY RUSH, BUBBA SULLIVAN (Bubba's Corner - Helena, Ark), DR. JOHN, EDDY CLEARWATER, HUBERT SUMLIN, IKE TURNER, KIM WILSON, KOKO TAYLOR, LONNIE BROOKS, MARCIA BALL, MITCH WOODS, PAUL OSCHER, SAM CARR, TAJ MAHAL and WILLIE "BIG EYES" SMITH.

One of the funniest stories is told by BOBBY RUSH. As the story goes, BOBBY AND PINETOP are hanging out in a club with a bunch of other musicians. PINETOP decides to introduce a "good looking woman" - who he really knows is a guy in drag - to the drummer. Fast forward many drinks, lots of money and a few hours later, and the drummer comes pounding on BOBBY and PINETOPS rooms announcing his rude discovery. The story, quite the riot that it was, is absolutely nothing compared to seeing and hearing BOBBY RUSH tell it. Whatever this disc costs, this segment alone is worth the price.

Other cute stories are told by ANN RABSON and WILLIE SMITH as they discuss PINETOPS bad habits. It seems his two favorite things to do are eat McDonald's and smoke cigarettes. Aha, so that's the way to make it 94 and still feel young. Hmmmmmm.

Hearing TAJ MAHAL and LONNIE BROOKS talk about how lucky PINETOP is to have a great manager and a dear friend in PAT MORGAN was quite touching. They both express their appreciation and deep admiration of what she does for PINETOP. Those of us who are lucky enough to know her agree.

Of course, the DVD is not at all a total documentary. Throughout the disc PINETOP is featured playing with BOB MARGOLIN, MOOKIE BRILL, WILLIE "BIG EYES" SMITH, ANN RABSON, DIUNNA GREENLEAF, THE NIGHTHAWKS and others.

Included with the "BORN IN THE HONEY" - THE PINETOP PERKINS STORY DVD is a CD titled "PINETOP PERKINS ON THE 88'S" LIVE IN CHICAGO. The tracks include "CHICKEN SHACK", "HOW LONG BLUES", "DOWN IN MISSISSIPPI", "GRINDER MAN BLUES", "LITTLE BIT OF YOUR LOVE", "PERKINS BOOGIE", "IDA B", "KANSAS CITY", and "MOJO". Appearing with PINETOP were WILLIE "BIG EYES" SMITH on drums, ROBERT "BOB" STROGER on bass and "LITTLE" FRANK KROKOWSKI on guitar.

A bonus track,"RATHER QUIT HER THAN HIT HER" which has never been previously released, is also included. It features PINETOP with BOB CORRITORE on harmonica, JOHNNY RAPP on guitar, PAUL THOMAS on bass and CHICO CHISM on drums.

If those of you who read this listen to just one of my recommendations - make it be this one. Click here... Amazon.com: Born in the Honey - The Pinetop Perkins Story: DVD: Pinetop Perkins... and buy the "BORN IN THE HONEY" - THE PINETOP PERKINS STORY, DVD/CD set right now.

Also check out PINETOP at www.pinetopperkins.com and tell him you're there because Pete the Blewzzman set ya.