Engaging our old school senses just a year after the release of his sister Bailey’s debut album Coyote Red, Memphis based retro blues rocker/piano pounder Wyly Bigger’s roaring and rambunctious yet soulfully heartfelt debut Broken Telephone makes us ponder what kind of music must have been poppin’ in the Bigger household when the two 20somethings were growing up. This is because, despite being inspired by and infused with musical traditions of the past, the siblings have taken entirely different paths to express their artistry – Bailey being a poetic, Joni Mitchell and Gillian Welch influenced country/Americana singer/songwriter, Wyly following the path of classic blues performers and early rock and rollers.
By way of comparison, Wyly’s eye and ear poppin’ magic is a bit in the vein of fellow piano man AJ Croce, whose fusion of jazz, swing, New Orleans funk and blues/rock offers a very different vibe than the catalog of his late father Jim Croce. The “Broken Telephone” the singer refers to on the title cut is the one he thinks should still be ringing – but it’s a mournful, slow burning ballad oasis in the midst of the high energy rave ups that dominate the nine-track collection.
After setting the tone with the buoyant, funky romantic jam “Ain’t The First Time” and a spirited romp through a wild call and response 50’s obscurity (“Hello Is That You?” by The Red Tops) from his grandmother’s collection of 45s, Wyly showcases his depth as a storyteller, sharing the sometimes lonely truth of life on the road on the mid-tempo, baritone sax fired “Midnight in Meridian” and humorously hoping his love doesn’t judge him by his over the top Saturday night behavior on the boisterous “Weekend Behavior.”
While the album mostly serves as a spotlight for the way famed mentors like Pinetop Perkins and Bob Margolin inspired his exciting, rootsy singing and songwriting, Wyly includes an important cover/re-imagining (Memphis Slim’s “I’m Lost Without You” that reflects the importance of how that city’s traditions have impacted his life and music. Upon the prompting of a friend, Wyly dug deep into Slim’s discography for what he calls “a great feeling song with a strong Memphis connection.”
Judging from the fiery music, the awesome, multi-faceted talents he shares on his explosive debut, Wyly Bigger’s career will be living up to his last name in the years to come!
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