Eddie C. Campbell has been a part of the blues scene for over 50 years, appearing onstage with Muddy Waters as a 12-year-old, and learning guitar firsthand from Water, Otis Rush, and his good friend Magic Sam. He served as a sideman for Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, Mighty Joe Young, Jimmy Reed, and Koko Taylor before serving a stint in Willie Dixon’s Chicago Blues All-Stars. During his time with Dixon, he recorded the now-legendary King of the Jungle.

Campbell was known around the Windy City for his outrageous hair styles, his red guitar, and his purple motorcycle. He spent nearly a decade in Europe in the ’80s, still recording and performing while there, but returned to the U.S. in 1992. During his time overseas, he continued to improve as a highly original and unique guitarist and composer, but he’s seemingly disappeared from the scene from time to time.

Campbell’s latest release, for Delmark Records, is called Tear This World Up, and it plays like a typical Campbell set, with his sometimes humorous, sometimes surreal lyrics, his clever and distinctive guitar work, and a few well-done covers. Though Campbell’s roots run deep in the West Side style, his lyrics and guitar work are often done with a look toward modern sounds.

Campbell’s original compositions include “Makin’ Popcorn,” a funky John Lee Hooker-like boogie track, with some frenetic guitar work, “Big World,” a hilarious look at sexual doings (and non-doings), and the eerie “Voodoo.” The closer, “Bluesman” is an autobiographical acoustic outing, and “All Nite” is a bouncy instrumental. Campbell also covers two Magic Sam tracks, “Easy Baby,” and a “Love Me With a Feeling,” Howlin’ Wolf’s “My Last Affair,” and a breezy interpretation of the Gershwins’ “Summertime.”

In support of Campbell is Mojo Mark Cihlar, who blows a mean harp on several tracks, as well as a tight rhythm section (Dario Golliday – bass, Marty Binder – drums, Karl “Lil’ Daddy” Outten and Marty Sammon – keyboards) and four tracks are augmented by a horn section (Sam Burckhardt – tenor sax, Chuck Parrish – trumpet, Juli Wood – baritone sax). Dick Shurman’s production is excellent, providing the perfect backdrop for Campbell’s talents.

If you’re not familiar with Eddie C. Campbell, give this disc a listen. I can promise that you’ve never heard anyone quite like him and you’ll enjoy what’s offered on Tear This World Up.