Prodigal Son by Memphis Gold

John his father and also a musician, played the bass fiddle and piano in the Church of God in Christ- where at the tender age of 4, Chester was first introduced to the guitar. Chester was quickly recognized as a promising musician, by the age of 8, he was a regular at Beale Street in Memphis, where he played the guitar and danced for pocket change from the crowd.

As a young boy age 12, he was mentored by the 1928-35 Victor/Brunswick/Vocalion

Recording Artist, The Reverend Robert "Tim "Wilkins. Wilkins major claim to fame was the tune "That`s No Way To Get Along," which was appropriated by the Rolling Stones in 1966 and released as "Prodigal Son" on the best selling album Beggars Banquet.

Nevertheless, I`m happy to report that, No, Memphis Gold did not tell me that he sold his soul to the devil down at the "crossroads" of highway 49and 61 in order to play like the guitar wizard that he is,"says Larry Benicewicz of the Music Monthly/Maryland Musician. "He is the genuine article, perhaps a thowback to the blues men of yore who learned their licks at the knee of legendary partriarch like Charlie Patton. And having done so, serves as one of the last links to the days when cotton was king on the Mississippi Delta." Also, in February of 1996, Chester Chandler rescued 9 children from a train crash in Silver Springs, Md., which was coming from the Harpers Ferry Job Corps, West Virginia. Ironically he, had performed a blues seminar for the children several months before. Chester Chandler aka (Memphis Gold) has appeared on the Leeza Show, NBC Dateline, and the Discovery Channel for his heroic effects.We would love to share our great entertainment with a performance at your festival or venue. please see: http://www.memphisgoldprod.net

Memphis Gold Cd Review

By Ron Weinstock D.C. Blues Society

It was grafying seeing Memphis Gold at this past summer`s Pocono blues Festival. having seen Chester Chandler perform at long gone venues like Smokehouse blue, as well as his band with Charlie sayles with their regular gigs at J Vs and being regulars when Whitlows on Wilson first opened, one has to admire how he and his band has matured. At the time of the festival he gave me an advance copy of his self-produced cd, The Prodigal Son, which is being released imminently. Comprised mostly of originals it includes his regular band with guest appearance by Phil Wiggins on harp and Pete Ragusa on Drums a track or two, and several tracks of the late Willie Hicks on them. Anyone who has seen Memphis Knows how much soul he brings to his performances and his Memphis influences go beyond the late Reverend Robert Wilkins and other influences of his youth. Certainly, the stax sounds underlies some of his songs like his evocation of Don`t make your move to soon on the opening Come Wit Me, with its funky tempo and groove. Its not surprising to see folks filing to the floor and when he takes his guitar solo on this, It does not slow things up one bit . They avoid hurrying the tempo too much on the shuffle, Don`t Let Her Ride , which I believe was previously recorded by James Peterson, and has a nice piano solo and raw acoustic before Memphis Gold takes the tune out. After the hot racetrak groove on Crabcakes, the tempo slows down for Big Leg Woman with more fluid fretwork. The title track, Prodigal Son , is not the song by his mentor, Rev Robert Wilkins, but has a similar theme about a wondering blues man heading home set against the melody of the classic 44 Blues . Then there is a instrumental Chicken It , with a riff that suggest Howlin Wolf`s Killing Floor ( and some nice harp), Preacher Blues , where he talks about bringing his shotgun to church with a driving solos, and the humorous bit of double entendre on Test Drive That Woman and the longest track, Serves Me Right, is a terrific slow blues as pleads to his lady that he wants to come back home. I had not listen to this in a couple months, but hearing it again I was struck how good this is. I should point out that I am among those who are thanked in the credits (reflecting my long friendship with Mr. Chester Chandler), I am just so gratified to have a friend produce the best local electric blues cd since Bobby Parker`s two disc for Black Top. It is that good . I am sure you will be hearing this WPFW and you should check out http://www.memphisgoldprod.net for information on purchasing this superb cd. CD Baby, Right on Rythm Records and Local Tower Records have this.http:www.memphisgoldprod.net

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