It’s hard to believe that the same Fat Possum who put out the bad man blues of R.L. Burnside, T-Model Ford, and the “Crack Whore Blues” is now releasing a spiritual album, but when the artist is the Reverend John Wilkins, it makes sense. Wilkins is the son of Robert Wilkins of “Prodigal Son” and “Old Jim Canaan” fame and has played around Memphis and the Mississippi Hill Country his whole life. He is also a reverend at Hunters’ Chapel, which has counted as members musicians Othar Turner, Napoleon Strickland and Fred McDowell.
This record has many of the same sonic qualities as those of the long gone Hill Country heroes. Even though they are spirituals, songs like “Jesus Will Fix It” and “You Got to Move” have that boogie that sounds like it could go on forever, the one that Junior Kimbrough perfected those long nights in Chulahoma. Wilkins’ rhythm section doesn’t sound like it might fall apart at any moment, though, unlike those on some of Kimbrough’s recordings.
Wilkins’ voice is deep, with a growl that gives his songs conviction and reminds the listener how close the blues and spirituals are. If you change any references to Jesus or God to members of the female sex, this music is suitable for Saturday night partying in the juke. Change those references back and it’s Sunday morning praying in the pews.
