Eddy Clearwater : West Side Strut

  Billy Branch - Harmonica
  Daryl Coutts - Organ, Piano
  Dennis Taylor - Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor)
  Eddy Clearwater - Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
  Ernest Williamson - Clarinet, Vocals, Voices
  Jackie Johnson - Vocals, Voices
  Jean Christopher Leroy - Percussion
  Jimmy Johnson - Vocals
  Jimmy Johnson - Vocals
  Lonnie Brooks - Guitar, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
  Maurice Boyce - Vocals
  Maurice Taylor - Drums, Cowbell
  Otis Clay - Vocals
  Ronnie Baker Brooks - Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar, Percussion, Guitar (Bass), Guitar (Rhythm), Vocals, Vocals (Background)
  Stacey Hall - Vocals, Voices
  Steven Herrman - Trumpet
  Valencia Robinson - Vocals, Voices
  Vicki Loveland - Vocals, Voices

The Chief Eddy Clearwater's West Side Strut is his first release for the Alligator label, and while nothing here is a surprise, Clearwater's Chicago blues / Chuck Berry hybrid remains evident as he works his way through a mix of rock & roll, country, soul, and gospel. Along with Clearwater is a stellar group of fellow Windy City musicians led by second guitarist (and producer) Ronnie Baker Brooks and his band, a horn section, and appearances by Billy Branch on harp, guitarist Lonnie Brooks, and backup vocals by Otis Clay and Jimmy Johnson. Spirited cover versions of Muddy Waters' 'Walking Through the Park' and Lowell Fulson's 'Trouble, Trouble' are highlights, as are the gutbucket blues 'A Good Leavin' Alone,' 'Blue Over You,' and the autobiographical 'They Call Me the Chief.' West Side Strut is another solid effort for the Chief and Alligator, as well. ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide

Beloved Chicago bluesman Eddy The Chief Clearwater is an acknowledged master of the West Side school of blues that spawned Magic Sam, Otis Rush and Luther Allison. He was the winner of the Blues Foundation's Blues Music Award for Contemporary Blues Male Artist Of The Year in 2001 and his last release, 2003's Rock `N' Roll City (with Los Straightjackets) was nominated for a Grammy. Now teamed with the blues and roots marketing power of Alligator Records, Eddy and his new release, West Side Strut, are due to reach his biggest audience yet.