  |
|
Marcia Ball Live! Down The Road Alligator 4903 Marcia Ball has been a leading proponent of the North Texas style of Blues and R&B. With a wonderful soulful voice and great keyboard talent it was only a matter of time before Ms. Ball tried a live album. This one's a beauty. Recorded in the Big Room at the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, this was apparently all one concert. It was also taped for the PBS Sierra Center Stage series and should be appearing this Fall. It's got to look as good as this sounds. Ms. Ball is in full swing and the band falls right in. Pat Boyack's guitar is right on the spot, leaving plenty of room for Ball's keyboard work. Angela Strehli does a guest vocal on "It Hurts To Be In Love." And there's the ubiquitous Mark Kazanoff on baritone sax. Many times with live albums it's a case of you had to have been there. Because this is a concert, a single unit instead of clips from various venues, it retains an immediacy of its own. Marcia Ball sounds like, well, she's having a ball. Good timey, swingin' and romping, this is a strong set from the always elegant Marcia Ball. -Smokin' Joe Miklos Blind Joe Death Live at the Roundhouse Self-Produced As a long-term fan of John Fahey, this band caught my attention right from the start. My first thought was: "It takes balls to make reference to one of the world’s greatest guitarists…do they have what it takes to back up such a gutsy move?" Time will tell. Live at the Roundhouse is just that, recorded absolutely live before an audience, with no overdubbing whatsoever. What you hear is what you get! What you hear is a five-piece unit consisting of two guitarists, a bassist, a drummer and a harmonica player playing straight-ahead Chicago Blues. I found it extremely refreshing. In this age, when every guitarist is trying to be the next Stevie Ray Vaughan or Jimi Hendrix, this band is getting back to the roots. Two great guitarists, doing what it takes to get the job done…without major pyrotechnics, but with style and lots of raw emotional power, backed by a tight rhythm section that is right on the money. Then there is the harmonica player. Bill Frederick, formerly with Krypton City Blues Revue, delivers harp licks that are emotionally charged, full and rich in tone and a joy to listen to. In short, this is a great band. The CD consists of a nice blend of well-written originals and well-chosen covers. It is obvious from the start that this band loves what they’re doing. Does this band live up to its name? I believe they’ve got what it takes. I would recommend this piece over a good many of the major label releases I’ve heard this year. This is some good stuff! – Bill Wilson Blues Society of Central Pennsylvania In Our Backyard Self-Produced Everybody loves homegrown talent…the guys we seek weekly at clubs and small dives throughout the area. Quite frankly, from Robert Johnson to B.B. King, everyone started out in that position. The Blues Society of Central Pennsylvania has brought together a baker’s dozen of the region’s hardest working Blues bands. These guys have been ministering to us weekly (at least), keeping the fire burning brightly. As much as I love Buddy Guy and B.B. King, Chicago and Memphis are too far to walk. Thank God for homegrown talent. In Our Backyard offers up a plate of the best the region has to offer. Friends, old and new, rock the house. From the opening notes of Flatfoot Sam and the Educated Fool’s "Come On To My Place" to the close of Eli Charleston’s rendition of Blind Blake’s "Champagne Charlie Is My Name", this one has something for everybody…regardless of style preferences. I loved it through and through, and have far too many friends represented here to pick favorites from the CD. Bottom line…these are the guys who are making it happen. I recommend that our readers get out to see the bands…often, and, pick up a copy of the CD for those times when getting out to a show just ain’t gonna happen. – Bill Wilson Tommy Castro Soul Shaker Blind Pig 5094 More Americana than a straight-ahead Blues release, Soul Shaker, for whatever reason, put me in mind of John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band, John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen. This is one sweet piece of work. Castro’s guitar work is immaculate, his vocals are strong and powerful, and the band is tight. This CD also showcases Tommy’s talents as a songwriter…all tunes written (or co-written) by the multi-talented artist. In short, Soul Shaker is a rock-solid CD. Great arrangements and superb musicianship throughout make this one a good deal any way you slice it. - Bill Wilson Otis Clay Respect Yourself Blind Pig 5095 Recorded live at the Lucerne Blues Festival, Respect Yourself is an incredibly beautiful and powerful piece of work, reminiscent of the golden age of R&B and Soul that produced such notable talents as Otis Redding, Solomon Burke and Little Milton. This band is tight, Clay’s vocals are as strong as any I’ve heard, and the recording manages to capture the power and excitement of the moment. Whether it be the straight-ahead power of a tune like "Nickel and a Nail" or the sweet soulful ballads like "When Hearts Grow Cold" or "I Can Take You To Heaven Tonight", Otis Clay hits the nail squarely on the head. His rendition of Kristofferson’s "For the Good Times" is worth the price of the CD on it’s own. This was a superb performance that translated to a great album. Otis Clay is a first-rate soul singer from the old school. That works for me. - Bill Wilson Shemekia Copeland The Soul Truth Alligator 4905 From her teens when she backed her ailing father, the late, great Johnny Clyde Copeland, Shemekia has shown herself to be a force to be reckoned with. No longer "Daddy’s little girl", she has developed into one of the Blues’ strongest voices. She has been compared with both a young Koko Taylor and a young Etta James. While their influences are evident, Shemekia Copeland has worked hard to develop her own style. Both as fiery and aggressive as a mama lion protecting her cubs and as cute and cuddly as a kitten, this woman knows what it takes to get the job done and is capable of delivering the goods with power and authority. Couple her incredible vocal capabilities with a very dynamic stage presence, and you have a definite winner. Shemekia has a solid voice with a wide range, capable of tackling any musical style, from slow-burning ballads and love songs to numbers that will rock the house from the foundation to the rafters. Produced by renowned Stax guitarist Steve Cropper, the album is steeped in the spirit of classic Memphis soul but is not confined to that. The Soul Truth is a well-rounded piece of work, with a little bit of something for everybody. This one’s a keeper! - Bill Wilson Sean Costello Sean Costello Tone Cool / Artemis 51576 With this eponymous release Sean Costello has come to full maturity as a Bluesman. His voice is full and soulful, the guitar skillful and tasteful. "No Half Stepping'" opens this CD strongly and sets the tone for the rest of the set. There's a strong shot of R&B to most of the songs for example the cover of Al Green's "I'm A Ram." Costello's compositional talent is exceptional. "I've Got To Ride" is a shuffle / boogie that rocks out with a hook that sticks hard. Costello has some stellar back up by Levon Helm on drums on Bob Dylan's "A Simple Twist Of Fate." Other luminaries include Jerry Vivino on sax, Paul Linden on harp and piano. Willie Weeks is on bass on a few tracks. Overall, Costello's studio band is locked into the groove. This is a solid Soul Blues album by an artist who has found his, stride. Here's hoping for more CD's like this from Mr. Costello. In line for my top picks. -Smokin' Joe Miklos Fried Glass Onions Memphis Meets the Beatles Inside Sounds 0522 I’m one of those strange individuals…grew up through the 60s, and never became an avid fan of the lads from Liverpool. Not to say that I have not heard it all, enjoyed it (often profusely), and recognized their contributions to the world’s popular music scene, but, like most of that British Invasion, Blues has always had my heart. It is not only fitting, but also proper that Memphis stars should do a tribute. That said, let’s get down to business. This one caught my attention right out of the chute and kept it throughout. Quite frankly, I think the Lads would be proud, if not delighted with the work presented here. The interpretations are incredible to say the least. Memphis has always been a musical melting pot, and Fried Glass Onions does a great job of demonstrating that diversity. A healthy dose of blues, funk and soul, driven by some great horn arrangements make for an album that has what it takes to hold my attention. This one is as smooth as it gets. Had the Beatles followed through with plans to record in Memphis, we might have heard this sound sooner. Daddy Mack Orr’s funky, blues driven rendition of Get Back, Charlie Wood’s Happiness Is A Warm Gun and Jackie Johnson’s Blackbird…the disc’s highlights are far too numerous to mention. This one is a keeper. Not only did it remind me of why I love the sounds of Memphis so much, this one makes me reconsider the Beatles. Great job! - Bill Wilson The Ford Brothers Center Stage Blue Rock'It BRCD 139 This CD consists of the concert recorded for the PBS series "Sierra Center Stage" at the Sierra Nevada Brewery. The band is essentially the Ford Blues Band with brother Robben in for the mele. Hot off their tribute albums to Mike Bloomfield and Paul Butterfield, the band is really cookin'. Mark Ford on vocals and harp and Patrick Ford on drums are joined by Volker Strifler on second guitar and vocals and Dewayne Pate on bass. Robben Ford is spot on and Volker Strifler is the perfect foil. The double guitar work is swinging and the band is a tight unit. Little Walter's "Mellow Down Easy" gets the benefit of the Paul Butterfield arrangement. There's some good jamming going on. The arrangements are succinct enough: this concert couldn't turn into noodle music if it tried. Butterfield's "Lovin' Cup" gets a run for its money. "Up From The Streets" was written by Mark Ford for John Lee Hooker. This is one lively recording and well worth seeking out. If it gets these kind of results I would like to see Robben Ford working with his brothers more often. -Smokin' Joe Miklos Mike Guldin and Rollin’ and Tumblin’ Roadhouse Rhythm Wah Wah Boy Records Mike Guldin and Rollin’ and Tumblin’ were the winners of the 2002 Billtown Blues Challenge and placed in the top eight at the International Blues Competition in Memphis. The band are primo representatives of the Lehigh Valley and Philly Blues scenes. This CD can only add to their burgeoning local popularity. As John Lee Hooker would say, it’s a good ‘un. Guldin is a seasoned vocalist, lead and rhythm guitarist. The band has a secret weapon in bassist C.J. Clark who occasionally takes a lead vocal. Check out his work on Edwin Starr’s "25 Miles". Guldin himself has a gruff baritone that has a certain smoothness. Guest stars abound. Tommy Castro is featured on Little Richard’s "Lucille." The album closes with a great duet on "Southern Woman and a Nawthern Man" featuring another local favorite, Ms. E.G. Kight. Guildin’s own compositions are strong. Some stellar background vocals are offered by Denis NeJame. This is a satisfying CD of funky Blues and is self described by Guldin as butt shakin’ music; well worth seeking out. Information available from Hawg Wild productions, 55 Clymer Avenue, Sellersville, PA 18960, www.rollinandtumblin.com or www.mikeguldin.com. – Smokin’ Joe Miklos John Hammond In Your Arms Again Back Porch 74815 John Hammond is one of America’s greatest musical treasures. This is a man who fell in love with country Blues in the Sixties, and never looked back. Over the years he has developed into a gritty guitar and harp player with a voice that sounds as whiskey soaked as any I’ve heard. Growing up surrounded by the greatest Blues performers in the business definitely had an effect …Hammond is now rightfully counted in their ranks. In Your Arms Again finds Hammond working again with Marty Ballou on bass and Stephen Hodges on percussion. This stripped down unit delivers a sound that is laid back and real easy to listen to. The trio offers up a selection of old Blues and R&B classics in a free-flowing manner that makes the listener want to join in. This one is as comfortable as your old broken in denim. While not primarily a songwriter, Hammond penned two of the CDs tunes, "In Your Arms Again" and "Come To Find Out", both great tunes that could just as easily have been penned by the past masters of country Blues. Also included in the album are a couple Ray Charles tunes, three made famous by Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon’s "Evil", a hauntingly beautiful rendition of John Lee Hooker’s "Serve Me Right To Suffer", and more. In short, this is a great, bordering on exceptional, piece of work by a modern master of country Blues. This one belongs in every Blues lover’s collection. – Bill Wilson Mark Hummel Blowin’ My Horn Electro-Fi 3386 Good harp players are a dime a dozen. Even great harp players are somewhat commonplace. Mark Hummel is in a whole new category. He has been a regular fixture in the Billtown area for ages. Fans are still amazed by some of the stunts he and the Blues Survivors would pull at Mike & Dot’s, the Scarlet D and more. For those fans, this CD is a must. It was recorded live and, amazingly, captures just a bit of the magic. It came as no surprise that the disc opened with "Rockin’ All The Time". This is one of the hardest working bands in the business. Blowin’ My Horn is typical of the band’s performances...high energy and flawless. The band is tight as bands get, Mark’s harp work is exceptional, and his tone is rich and full as ever. From a technical standpoint this one is right on the money. It is well produced and, miraculously, does manage to capture a bit of the excitement of the live performance. Blowin’ My Horn is a great mix of harmonica classics and incredible original tunes. This is one of those pieces that will be finding its way back to this old man’s CD player on a regular basis. - Bill Wilson Lackawanna Blues Soundtrack Vanguard Records been a fan of movie soundtrack recordings. While most contain some great material, they are often lacking in continuity and hard to follow. Not so in the case of Lackawanna Blues. This soundtrack tells a story…deep, sometimes dark, but always hopeful. The stories told here are the stories of not one, but countless generations. Lackawanna Blues, the movie, is a coming of age movie based in Lackawanna, New York, in 1936, on the dawn of integration. If this film is half as good as the soundtrack, it is destined to be a classic. Bottom line, I would purchase a copy of this film based on the strength of the soundtrack. Period pieces blend with well-chosen covers by contemporary artists to paint a picture much larger than the sum of the words can express. Blues, R&B and Gospel come together to tell a story that left me feeling better after listening than before I started. Any piece of music that can do that is well worth any price. - Bill Wilson Magic Slim Anything Can Happen Blind Pig 5098 Bottom line, Magic Slim is the real deal…a man dedicated to "old school" Chicago Blues. Now in his late 60s, he has remained true to his heart. Recorded live at the Sierra Nevada Brewery, in Chico, California, Anything Can Happen is as fine a set of Chicago Blues as I’ve ever heard. Seldom does a live recording manage to capture the excitement of the evening’s performance, but this one is right on the mark. Having had the privilege of seeing Magic Slim perform on numerous occasions, this recording enables me to close my eyes and relive those instances. Who could ask for anything more? If you’re looking for even more, Blind Pig has also released a DVD of the performance. While I have not yet seen it, this is sure to be a real gem. More magic than slim, Magic Slim is a gentle giant of a man who has an immeasurable love for the music and a love for his fans to match. That love is evident in every note. If you can’t make it out to his show, Anything Can Happen is as good as it gets. Even better, catch the show and buy the CD and DVD direct. – Bill Wilson Jimbo Mathus Knockdown South Knockdown South Records 001 Jimbo Mathus is one artist who refuses to be put into a box. Blues, Jazz, Funk, Soul, Country and Rock all blend for a CD that is hard to define, but real easy to listen to. Call it pure Americana, Mathus delivers whatever it takes to get the job done…and he does it real well! What impressed me most about this disc, other than its diversity, was the brutal honesty. Mathus puts heart and soul into everything he does. Reminiscent, at times, of early Rolling Stones, this one has a laid back feel that carries me back to the late Sixties. Other tunes were reminiscent of Cream or Blind Faith…same era, different feeling. Knockdown South just "feels" good. Jimbo Mathus is a man with vision and a sincere love for the music. That love is evident in every note…and contagious as hell. While not a straight-ahead blues piece, Knockdown South is heavily laden with soul and raw emotion and enough Blues and R&B to satisfy the most diehard Blues fan. What you see is what you get…and, like a chameleon, Mathus may well present a different picture at every turn. Jimbo Mathus is the real deal. Bottom line…while this piece may not appeal to everyone, it is very well done and a lot of fun to listen to. – Bill Wilson Elam McKnight & Keith Carter The Last Country Store Big Black Hand Records This one caught my eye immediately when it hit my desk. It was extremely generic…no fancy artwork, no dynamic posters, just a plain blue paper envelope and a short sheet of facts introducing the band. I was intrigued and impressed. Either this band had what it takes to make it without a major promotional push or they were two jokers just out for a good time. Too often, the louder the racket surrounding a band’s debut, the more painful the CD. The Last Country Store was a real treat…a breath of fresh air. The pairing of guitar and harmonica can be a beautiful thing when done well, and this duo does it very well. Still, what I liked most about this piece was the spontaneity. This one is pure, unrefined and powerful. This has a down-home comfortable feel that I found irresistible. I was left with memories of my own impromptu jam sessions. True, nothing earth shattering happened there, but we had lots of fun. The Last Country Store is just that…fun, comfortable and real easy to listen to. -Bill Wilson Mississippi John Hurt D.C. Blues The Library Of Congress Recordings Vol. I Fuel 2000 302 061 407 2 The story of Mississippi John Hurt is a strange one and fascinating. In 1928 Hurt recorded thirteen songs in New York and Memphis for the legendary OKeh label. Negotiations to record further broke down due to the Depression. Hurt returned to sharecropping and farming around Avalon. In 1963 Tom Hoskins sought out John Hurt and for the last three years of his life Hurt was financially secure in part because of the Folk boom. More a songster than an outright Bluesman, Hurt brought a warmth and charm to his material. The songs on this two CD set were recorded on the stage of the Coolidge Auditorium at the Library of Congress. This the record of a seventy year old man whose songs and talent still shone through. During these sessions Hurt remade a few of his OKeh sides but covered a wealth of material. Songs like "Payday," "Slidin' Delta," "Richlands Women Blues," and "Funky Butt" are offset by some rich spirituals like "Glory Glory Hallelujah." Mississippi John Hurt's unique three fingered picking style owed as much to white Folk Music traditions as to the deep Delta sounds that surrounded him. This CD is history, a preservation of music by a gentle and unique artist unlike any in the Blues. Please let there be a Volume 2 sometime soon. - Smokin' Joe Miklos Nate Myers and the Aces The Lonesome Plowboy Self-produced Nate Myers has been a part of the blues scene around Billtown for years. An exceptional harp player, great vocalist, superb songwriter and dynamic performer, Nate captures the audience with ease and holds their attention throughout his performance. The Lonesome Plowboy, Myers’ second release, manages to capture some of that excitement. The CD features a wide variety of styles, ranging from Jump to straight-ahead Chicago blues and soulful ballads…a great showcase for the multitalented son of Billtown. Over the years I have come to love Nate as a little brother or, at times, a son. His love for, and dedication to, the music has served as an inspiration. He is incredibly well versed in various blues styles, feeling just as comfortable with jug band music from the 20’s and 30’s as the electrified styles from Chicago, New Orleans, Kansas City and beyond. The Lonesome Plowboy illustrates that fact well. This one is well played and not overly produced…a real nice piece. The band is tight and right on the money and Myers is in good form. This one was recorded at Jimbo Mathus’ Delta Recording Studio in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and features blues legend Big Jack Johnson on five of the thirteen tracks. Mathus makes an appearance as well. These make for a really nice finishing touch, but are hardly necessary. This is a band worth hearing. -Bill Wilson Jimmy "T99" Nelson The Legend Nettie Marie 02 A few years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy Nelson. I was impressed then, now I am nearly breathless. The Legend is one of the most powerful pieces I’ve heard in ages. This is the real deal. Nelson is an exceptional vocalist who has a real way with words. Poet, storyteller, crooner and Blues shouter rolled into one, Jimmy "T99" Nelson delivers the goods with power and authority. This is not some kid with a good voice who wants to sing the Blues. This is a bluesman, drawing on deep wells of experience…experience that spans more than 50 years. Then, there’s the band. With a line-up like this, even I could sound good. With Duke Robillard on guitar, Sax Gordon on tenor sax, Doug James on baritone sax, Carl Querfurth on trombone, Matt McCabe on piano, Marty Ballou on bass, Neil Gouvin on drums and special guest Sugar Ray Norcia on harmonica, it’s impossible to go wrong. A truly great vocalist backed by what has to be the tightest band this side of the Pearly Gates makes for an exceptional album. This is one of the best things I’ve heard all year. – Bill Wilson Ann Rabson In A Family Way Emit Doog Music 0008 There is nothing I can say about Ann Rabson that has not been said before, so I’ll restate the obvious. Not only does Ann rank high on the list of the world’s greatest piano players; she is also an exceptional guitarist. This is a woman who absolutely loves the music. While some artists play to live, Ann lives to play. I have yet to meet an artist with a deeper love for the music or for her fans. With eight CDs recorded with Saffire – the Uppity Blues Women, three solo releases, over a dozen guest appearances on other bands albums and a busy performance schedule, Ann has been sharing that love worldwide…and I, for one, have enjoyed every minute of it. In A Family Way, her latest release represents a Rabson family tradition. When the family gathers it usually results in a big jam session. This time we’re all invited. Joining Ann are her sister Mimi Rabson (violin), Mimi’s husband Dave Harris (trombone/organ), nephew Kenji Rabson (upright bass), daughter Liz Rabson-Schnore (rhythm guitar) and Ann’s brother Steve Rabson (piano). In A Family Way is nothing short of delightful. The arrangements are beautiful and the performance is flawless. While I’ve heard most of this material in the past, the instrumentation in this case is delightful. The CD offers a great mix of classic blues, jazz, R&B and boogie-woogie that is fun and easy to listen to. From upbeat numbers like Huey "Piano" Smith’s "Little Chickee Wah Wah" to soulful ballads like "I Can’t Get My Mind Off Of You", penned by Ann, In A Family Way leaves no stone unturned. I love this one. It may well be her best work to date. -Bill Wilson Paul Rishell and Annie Raines Goin' Home Tone-Cool 51570 Delayed by the merging of Tone-Cool with Artemis Records, the latest offering by Paul Rishell and Annie Raines has been well worth the wait. Paul and Annie are one of the hardest working and best acoustic duos in the Blues. This album does not let up in both emotion and instrumental intensity. Comprised mostly of traditional Blues there are two Rishell/ Raines compositions."It Ain't Right" is a brief and funky step into electric territory. "You've Got It Made" has a Western Swing feel to it redolent of Bob Wills at his best. There are two traditional Gospel songs. Charley Patton's "I'm Goin' Home" is lovingly rendered. Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell's "Memphis Town" is a good natured romp of a train song. Big Maybelle's "Candy" is done as an instrumental with a nod to Django Reinhardt. That old chestnut "Ragtime Millionaire" is as much fun as a bottle of good bourbon. Paul Rishell remains a stellar guitar man and Annie Raines is a harp virtuoso. Her multi instrumental abilities have expanded to piano, mandolin and Hammond B-3. By the time this CD closes with Paul and Annie tearing through a seven minute plus instrumental jam on Magic Sam's "Lookin' Good" you're left breathless and panting for more. Superior! -Smokin Joe Miklos Roomful Of Blues Standing Room Only Alligator 4900 The great Count Basie called them "the hottest blues band I've ever heard." You’d think that a band like that could, at some point, kick back and rest on their laurels…this unit just keeps getting stronger. What began nearly 40 years ago has continued to evolve, through thick and thin, staying focused. For that feat alone these guys deserve high praise. Through thirty-six years on the road, numerous personnel changes and the ever-changing social climate, Roomful has remained fresh and is stronger than ever. Reminiscent of the kings of the genre, this is one band that has earned its place among the legends. Count Basie, Big Joe Turner and Louis Jordan are dancing in their graves. Unlike the swing revival stuff that drew crowds for a while, Roomful of Blues is the real deal. In addition to their band recordings, Roomful of Blues have often backed legendary musicians like Jimmy Witherspoon, Jimmy McCracklin, Roy Brown, Joe Turner, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson and Earl King-stars of the 1940s and 1950s blues scene, and the very people who created the music that Roomful still keeps vital and alive. Roomful recorded albums with Turner, Vinson and King during the 1980s, and all three recordings received Grammy nominations. Standing Room Only’s eight originals and six carefully chosen covers are sure to be enjoyed by hard core fans of swing and new listeners alike. This one should garner them yet another Handy nomination. - Bill Wilson Corky Siegel Traveling Chamber Music Show Alligator 4901 Corky Siegel’s melding of blues and classical styles is delightful. A master of his instrument, Siegel takes the harmonica to a whole new level. This is, by far, not the first time harp has been presented in a classical setting, but the Blues twist is as sweet as it gets. I have not been this excited about a recording since the first time I heard Larry Adler or Toots Thielemans. This is pure ambrosia. While Blues has my heart, I have always been more than a closet classical fan. The intricate workings on this disc can, and will, take listeners to places they’ve never imagined possible. This is one of the most powerful recordings I have heard in ages. It flows direct from the heart, making a connection that is almost hypnotic. I recommend this one highly to fans of Blues and classical alike…expand your horizons. There is a strong enough connection to both styles to keep even the most diehard fans enthralled. Move over Mozart, it’s time to boogie! - Bill Wilson Mavis Staples Have A Little Faith Alligator 4899 Aside from her large body of work with the Staples Singers Mavis Staples has had an illustrious parallel career as a solo artist. While the Staples Singers and Mavis herself are regarded primarily as Gospel artists there have been frequent incursions into secular Soul music and Pop (no pun intended). This is Mavis Staples' first recording in eight years and her first for Alligator. Producer Jim Tullio has done Ms. Staples well. This is a tasty blend of Funk, Gospel and traditional country Gospel Blues: joyful noise indeed, Mavis' full throated and gritty voice remains imbued with a power and range that's impressive as her past accomplishments. This album is a message of hope. Songs like "Step into The Light" and the title track carry the word. "'Tod Is Not Sleeping" is a lovely assertation of faith. "A Dying Man's Plea" is a reworking of the traditional "One Kind Favor" spiced with acoustic guitar, dobro, bouzouki, and fiddle. Mavis Staples reprises Roebuck "Pops" Staples arrangement of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" to beauteous effect. To quote Ms. Staples from an interview in Living Blues "Somebody has got to keep a message out there, that everything is gonna be all right. Don't give up." The messenger has spoken, message delivered. - Smokin' Joe Miklos Sugar Ray and The Bluetones Hands Across The Table Severn Records Sugar Ray Norcia is a full voiced harp player known for his work with pianist Anthony Geraci, currently in the Bluetones. Rounding out the band are "Mudcat" Ward (bass), Paul Size (guitar) and Neal Gouvin (drums). This is a chooglin’ chunk of urban Blues; the band a tight rockin’ unit. Most of the songs are penned by Sugar Ray. I particularly like "(I’m Gonna Break Into) Folsom Prison." This is a clever for a Blues song and is, surprizingly, a topical political song. Sugar Ray has a way with lyrics and composition that is witty and literate. One of the few covers is "River Stay ‘Way From My Door" which has a swinging jazzy feel to it. This is not an album that hits you right away but is smooth and sturdy stuff that bears repeat listening. A solid effort by a solid band. – Smokin’ Joe Miklos Hubert Sumlin About Them Shoes Tone Cool 51609 In my list of the greatest guitarists in Chicago Blues, Hubert Sumlin rates high. In this, I am not alone. Hubert has been cited as a major influence by Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan and countless others. It takes more than a gimmick to stand beside Howlin’ Wolf for better than twenty years. Hubert had what it took, and is still going strong at 73. About Them Shoes is a straight-ahead Blues album…most of the tunes culled from the repertoire of Muddy Waters. Hubert gets an assist from some of the greatest performers in the business. Eric Clapton, James Cotton, Levon Helm, David Johansen, Bob Margolin, David Maxwell, Paul Oscher, Keith Richards, Mudcat Ward and more make stellar contributions. Through it all, Hubert Sumlin shines brightly. This is a man who has earned the title "living legend", a man who could legitimately rest on his laurels. Far be it from Sumlin to lay back and relax. He continues to amaze crowds worldwide. On a personal note, I caught his performance at the Billtown Blues Festival last year. I was half expecting to see an aging gentleman who was tired, relying on a superb band to carry the show. What I saw was a man, still at the top of his game. Hubert stole the show. That is equally true of About Them Shoes. Hubert Sumlin is still a force to be reckoned with. This is a modern masterpiece, with all the heart and soul of the classics. – Bill Wilson Various Artists Doctors, Professors, Kings & Queens: – The Big Ol' Box Of New Orleans Shout Factory DK 37441 "Doctors, Professors, Kings & Queens: The Big Old Box of New Orleans" gives the listener a full plate of New Orleans music, - from rock’n’roll and R&B to jazz, from zyedco and brass band to funk. This four disc collection covers decades of music from the Crescent City featuring music by such diverse artists as Professor Longhair, Dr. John, Louis Armstrong, Huey Smith, Fats Domino, Chifton Chenier, Pete Fountain and many more. In fact, there are 84 songs featured in the box set. Included is a stunning 80-page book that includes musical history, photos, and a full discography. The listing of the session musicians for each cut makes fascinating reading to this Louisiana music lover. So pick up "The Big Ol’ Box of New Orleans" and enjoy Dr John, Professor Longhair, Irma Thomas, the Soul Queen of New Orleans, and Earl King. – and this is just the beginning of your discovery of the music of New Orleans. The box set comes highly recommended. - Charlie Lockard Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne Let It Loose Electro-Fi 3388 A fair number of CDs cross my desk for review purposes over the course of any given year. Of those, as many as half are old and tired before their release. Of the remainder, few leave me feeling inspired enough to want to dig out my wallet to purchase gifts for loved ones. Today I feel inspired! Kenny "Blues Man" Wayne’s Let It Loose is one fine piece of work. A word of thanks to the folks at Electro-Fi Records… they’ve got an ear for the real deal. Let It Loose is no exception. Lots of traditional blues and boogie-woogie with a taste of Kansas City swing and New Orleans rhythm, this one grabbed me from the opening notes and held tight through to the end. Hailed as a cross between Amos Milburn and Fats Domino, Kenny Wayne’s influences are clearly evident. While he lists his major influences as Fats Domino, Roosevelt Sykes, Professor Longhair and Pete Johnson, this is no cheap imitation. Wayne has a solid style that runs from Jump Blues and Swing to steamy, slow burning "belly rubbers". This is one of the best things I’ve heard all year. From one end of the musical spectrum to the other, Kenny Wayne has it covered with style and finesse. This one is destined to be in the player for quite some time. I recommend it highly. – Bill Wilson Johnny Winter Second Winter Columbia / Legacy C2K 85735 The CD format has brought a wealth of material to light and expanded versions of classic albums can be a curse (useless bonus tracks used as padding) or in the case of Second Winter, a boon. This was Johnny Winter's second album for Columbia and had its share of notoriety since it was a three sided LP. Side Four was literally blank. In its original form Second Winter was a scorcher. Johnny Winter bulled that guitar around with a vengeance and his howling vocals could burn the paint off a Buick. This is Blues Rock at its finest. "Johnny B. Goode" and Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited" get the high test treatment. The two bonus tracks, "Early In The Morning" and "Tell The Truth (Instrumental)" could have been used on that blank side four. No filler here. Here's what makes this CD worth the ticket: included is a second disc subtitled Live At Royal Albert Hall 4/17/70. This is Johnny with band mates Tommy Shannon and Uncle John Turner and brother Edgar along for the ride. Some of these songs showed up later on Johnny Winter And Live. This was one hell of a concert. There's even a punchy early version of Edgar Winter's hit "Frankenstein." This is a reissue worth every penny and Johnny Winter at his burning best. Check it out. - Smokin' Joe Miklos  |
| Billtown Blues Association PO Box 2 Hughesville, PA 17737 Phone: 570-584-4480 Fax: 570-584-4608 |
Billtown Blue Notes PO Box 935 Williamsport, PA 17703-0935 Phone: 570-323-1624 Email: click here |
| www.billtownblues.org ©2005 - 2006 the Billtown Blues Association, Inc. All Rights Reserved Published and Hosted by Pennsylvania Visitors Network |