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Billy Boy Arnold Consolidated Mojo Electro-Fi 3392 While Billy Boy Arnold did not receive the publicity and public acclaim of some of his contemporaries, I'd think long and hard before writing off this old fox. This veteran Chicago bluesman played a part in the birth of the unique Chicago blues sound of the 50s. British superstars, Eric Clapton, the Animal, David Bowie, the Yardbirds and more covered his songs. He also influenced countless up and coming young blues stars. Recorded in 1992 and produced by West Coast harmonica master Mark Hummel, Consolidated Mojo shows Arnold as still a force to be reckoned with. Backed by Hummel's touring band, the Blues Survivors, Billy Boy delivers 14 dynamite tracks of pure, unadulterated Chicago Blues. The presence of the Blues Survivors is a definite plus, with Rusty Zinn on guitar, but Arnold is in great vocal form, and blows some real nice harp. If anything, Billy Boy Arnold may have gotten better with age. You'll find no fireworks here, but this piece is rock solid, easy on the ears and full of heart and soul. Guys like Arnold are a dying breed…long live the true Blues survivors! In short, Consolidated Mojo comes highly recommended. This is Chicago blues at its finest. - Bill Wilson Renee Austin Right About Love Blind Pig 5099 This is Renee Austin's second album for Blind Pig and is by far the best she's done. More rockin' R&B with a touch of Country than Blues, it packs a wallop. From the opening notes of "Mouth Of The Delta" the tone is set. This is one tough, sexy song with some excellent backup by David Grissom (yep, Mr. Dawg Music himself) on acoustic guitar. With an astonishing five octave range Austin could have produced an ostentatious mess. Instead she shows a restraint that renders these songs convincing and soulful. There's a good natured enthusiasm to this CD that tells that Renee Austin and band would be great to see in a bar or small club. Almost all the songs were written by Ms. Austin and guitarist Kevin Bowe except for two covers. Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right" gets de Elvis'ed and countrified The cover of Bobbie Gentry's "Bugs" is both a hoot and rockin' fun with a John Fogerty like arrangement. "U Haul" is a can't take it with you wonder. Renee Austin has a way with words. The irony of "Thank You Card" and "Chicken Coop" is Marvelous. On a sad note, recently Renee Austin had thyroid surgery and one of her vocal cords was paralyzed. She hasn't lost her voice but the ability to sing is gone. Here at the Blue Notes our hearts go out to Ms. Austin. We sincerely hope for her recovery and a return to the stage. Rock on, tough gal. We're with ya! Smokin' Joe Miklos Chris Bell & 100% Blues Real Bluesman Silver Bridge Records SBCD 006 Chris Bell, born in Washington DC, raised in Massachusetts, now calls North Hollywood, California his home. Well educated in the mechanics of the music and a deep love for the music, Chris has studied with Tony MacAlpine, studied for a while at Berklee and lists his major influences as ranging from BB King, and Albert Collins to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. All of that and a buck will get you a cup of coffee at a dive. Bottom line…this guy can play. From a technical standpoint, Bell is pretty much right on the money. Even more important than that, his music is passionate, flowing directly from the heart. There's some powerful stuff on this release. Back a solid guitarist with a dead on rhythm section and it's hard to miss. I hear enough straight-ahead Blues to know that this is a man with a deep background in the music. Not only did he grow up exposed to the music, Chris Bell did his homework and learned his lessons well. Chris is an exceptional guitarist, finding that balance between the technical and the emotional. Given a chance, this music will touch your heartstrings. It drips with soul and pure, raw emotion. Chris's many influences and the musical loves of mother and father are clearly heard and dealt with respectfully. In my book, that matters. This is a great band…well worth a good listen. - Bill Wilson Elvin Bishop Gettin' My Groove Back Blind Pig 5100 As if Elvin Bishop needed to get his groove back. In spite of some personal trials Bishop never lost it. With his good ol' boy persona he's been makin' rockin' party albums since leaving the Paul Butterfield Blues Band over 35 years ago. In that respect there's nothing new here: just good solid Blues music. And plenty of good fun. The CD opens with "What The Hell Is Going On," a diatribe against our violent contemporary world. Bishop's slightly cracked voice makes the song chilling. The good ol' boy just can't stay serious long. The good timey stuff rolls on with "I'll Be Glad." Roy Buchanan may have recorded the definitive cover of Don Gibson's "Sweet Dreams" but Bishop plays it with a lovely, soaring lead that does it justice. Bishop's studio band is a pretty good unit and they get some help from guests Henry Butler (whom Bishop toured with in a package show that played the Community Arts Center a few years ago), Norton Buffalo and Roy Rogers. For sheer goofiness there's "He's A Dog," a tribute to Bishop's canine buddy. Apparently this mutt has every silly trait a half nuts dog can have. You guessed it, there's a lot of barking in this song. Not a bad track on this CD. Thanks for another party Mr. Bishop. - Smokin' Joe Miklos Ronnie Baker Brooks The Torch Watchdog Records 33704 Ronnie Baker Brooks is an exceptional guitarist, a great vocalist and logical heir to his father's legacy. His vision is to take the music he grew up with and carry it into the future. After a dozen years backing his father, watching the master entertainer, he left the band to strike out on his own. He released his debut solo album, Golddigger in 1998. The Torch, his third solo release on Watchdog Records, showcases 17 original tunes by Brooks. It is an interesting, diverse piece of work with a fair amount of straight-ahead Chicago blues, a touch of hardcore blues/rock, a bit of Funk and a touch of Soul, pretty much all over the map. From blazing guitars to soulful ballads, Ronnie Baker Brooks knows how to get the job done and has the ability to do just that. The Torch is a solid, if sometimes choppy piece of work, with some exceptional moments. Over all, there's something here for everyone. Ronnie Baker Brooks is a young man with a long career ahead of him. If this release is any indication, the fans are in for some great times. - Bill Wilson Cephas and Wiggins Shoulder To Shoulder Alligator 4910 Aside from the sight of the one you love after a long absence, little can compare to the blending of guitar and harmonica played by masters…and Cephas and Wiggins are masters of that particular style. Quite frankly, after listening to countless rock and roll rehashings of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix, this CD was a welcomed relief. Masters of the Piedmont style, Cephas and Wiggins have been compared (and rightfully so) to Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. This is one well-seasoned and incredibly talented unit. Masterful musicians and soulful vocalists, the duo are also accomplished songwriters. Of the album's 12 tunes, six were written, or co-written, by John Cephas. The duo is world renowned, playing for enthusiastic crowds wherever they go, even plying their trade at the White House. Cephas and Wiggins alone are an "eargasmic" experience. Adding the cherry to the top of the ice cream sundae, this disc also features Ann Rabson on Piano on six cuts, Daryl Davis on piano on one track and bassist Andrew Volpe on two. This is their fourth Alligator Records release, and is sure to please anyone within earshot. John Cephas is one of the Blues' finest guitarists and Phil Wiggins is without equal on harmonica. This piece comes highly recommended. - Bill Wilson Chicago Blues Harmonica Project Diamonds In the Rough Severn Records 0034 The liner notes begin "There was a time when Chicago was known as a Blues harmonica town." Diamonds In the Rough makes it perfectly clear that Blues harmonica is still alive and well in the Windy City. This disc brings together six seasoned harmonica veterans with the Chicago Bluesmasters, one tight unit with a deep love for the music and an equally deep respect for its history. As an added bonus for Blue Note readers, the band features Pat McKeever on bass. Pat toured for years with Eddie "The Chief" Clearwater, but before that was a member of area favorites Krypton City Blues Revue. The remaining Bluesmasters include Rick Kreher on guitar, Little Frank on guitar, Mark Brumbach on piano and Twist Turner on drums. This is one solid unit, the kind of band that offers a perfect backdrop for a good harmonica player. Add six Chicago based harp players to the mix and you've got a piece worth more than just a casual listen. Dusty Brown, Omar Coleman, Russ Green, Larry Cox, Harmonica Khan #1 and Little Addison all strut their stuff on this delightful showcase of Chicago blues harp. Ranging from Brown, at 77, to Coleman at age 33, this group offers a widely diversified look at the instrumental styles and the "changing of the guard". For lovers of Blues harmonica, this is one of those "must have" pieces. - Bill Wilson Davis Coen Can't Get There From Here 219 Records 1006 A nice slice of Americana, Can't Get There From Here is nothing short of a beautiful piece of work. Singer, songwriter, great guitarist and extraordinary storyteller, Davis Coen manages to blow away the fog and tell it like it is. Folk, blues and country blend for a sound that is warm and comfortable as my old denim. Bottom line…Davis Coen is the real deal. Twenty-nine and based out of Charleston, South Carolina, Coen sings what he knows, directly from the heart. While better than half of the CD's tunes were written by Coen, he manages to take possession of the well-chosen covers, giving them his own twist, while showing the utmost respect for the original authors. Davis shows a deep love and knowledge of the Blues. This is much more than a musical style; it is the essence of life. Nothing profound here, just life on life's terms. This is real, real powerful and directly from the heart. It's also easy on the ears. Who could ask for more? Can't Get There From Here is about as good as it gets. If you're looking for the latest fad, pass this one by. Davis Coen is here to stay. - Bill Wilson CornLickers Missippi Self-Produced The CornLickers is a project formed by Dale Wise and Dave Groniger. It is a musical documentary of many trips to Mississippi, playing with Delta and Hill Country blues musicians. Dedicated to Big Jack Johnson, Dale's friend and mentor, CornLicker's Missippi features some of the best players this region of Pennsylvania has to offer. That said, this CD is more Mississippi than Yankees tryin' to play Blues. An all-star conglomeration of players from the ranks of Krypton City Blues Revue and beyond, this is as hard core "Saturday night in Mississippi" as it gets. Recorded live in December 2005, this recording is powerful, emotionally charged and very well recorded and put together. All songs written by Dale Wise and Dave Groniger, and vocals by Dale Wise, we get to see a much broader picture of Wise. The driving force behind Krypton City Blues Revue for years, Dale has shown himself to be an exceptional vocalist and superb songwriter. Dale is one of the few drummers who actually realizes he's playing an instrument. Drums, in his capable hands, are more than just a means to beat out a rhythm. Great job, old friend! This CD was obviously heavily inspired by the guys many trips to Mississippi and their experiences playing in the home of the Blues. Always driven by the music of the Deep South, there is a depth here I had not heard on earlier albums with the same personnel. This is one nice piece of work. -Bill Wilson Doug Cox and Sam Hurrie Hungry Ghosts Northern Blues Music 0030 Canada has always had an active and creative Blues scene as it has a Rock scene as well. Sometimes the artists cross the border to the good ol' US, sometimes not. Witness bands like Downchild or Bachman Turner Overdrive. Now out of the Great White North come Doug Cox and Sam Hurrie. Beyond a doubt these cats are one of the best acoustic duos I've heard. Hungry Ghosts sports great songwriting, terrific covers and stellar arrangements. Best of all the songs are memorable. I can barely get this CD out of the player much less my mind's radio. There's some lean electric instrumentation and drums in places. Cox and Hurrie employ a variety of odd and exotic instruments: Weissenborn, Bodrhan drum, dumbek, brass guitar, and jug drum. Their backing vocalists and back up musicians are precise; the harmonies sparkle. The details: Ghosts opens with Duane Allman's lovely instrumental "Little Martha." "Beware of The Fan" is a razor sharp indictment of music business greed. The Hurrie penned "Fear" is a Talking Blues built around Van Morrison's "Gloria" riff that is ["he centerpiece of the album loaded with humor, topicality and sarcasm. Cox's "Nap Time For Sam" is a good natured jab at Hurrie and might as well be titled "Narcolepsy Blues." There's a beautiful cover of the traditional Acadian instrumental "Valse Frontenac." I could go on and on, there are many wonderful gems on this CD. Am I raving? You bet! Doug Cox and Sam Hurrie are top songwriters, superior guitarists and Bluesmen who deliver it with style, class and feeling. If there's an acoustic album you've got to have, this is it. Album of the year hands down. - Smokin' Joe Miklos The Daddy Mack Blues Band Slow Ride Inside Sounds 0527 Muddy Waters once sang that the Blues had a baby and they called it Rock n' Roll. Turnabout is fair play. Eddie Dattel of Inside Sounds approached Daddy Mack Orr with the concept of doing Blues arrangements of Blues based Rock songs. In lesser hands this could have been a genuine mess. Eddie Dattel made a wise choice with Daddy Mack whose feral guitar leans heavily into stripped down versions of these rockin' favorites. Some help from guest harp player Billy Gibson adds a little more to the ferocity. Foghat were perhaps the boogie monster Rock band of all time. This CD kicks off with their AM radio smash "Slow Ride" and the tone is set. It works and does right by the heaviness of the song. Except its Blues heavy. The Stones' "Honky Tonk Women" is unabashedly Blues based. Mack plays it at a mid pace speed that has a lot of gut. The Kinks "You Really Got Me" gets a shuffle (!) treatment with some nice ya-ya background vocals. There are plenty of surprises here. Perhaps the weakest song is Eric Clapton's "Lay Down Sally," just a little bland, but it still functions at the mid level. This album is worth checking out. Turnabout? Fair play? It doesn't matter. It's very respectful of the subject matter and listenable and Blue. That's all that counts. Available from Inside Sounds, P.O. Box 171282, Memphis TN 38187 or memphisarc@aol.com. - Smokin' Joe Miklos Guy Davis Skunkmello Red House Records 192 Guy Davis is a poet, a philosopher, a singer/songwriter, a Bluesman and a fine storyteller. The son of Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, Davis may have come by his talent naturally, but this is more than a gift given at birth. Davis has a deeply rooted love for the Blues and has worked hard perfecting his skills. Skunkmello is a widely diverse piece of work that blends traditional acoustic styles and contemporary electric work, up tempo pieces and smooth soulful ballads for a CD that keeps the listener's ear throughout. This one is as easy going as it gets…and the stories that unfold are exceptional. As a storyteller, Davis may well have outdone himself. When one realizes that Guy Davis penned nine of the disc's fourteen tracks, the results are even more impressive. This one has all the earmarks of a classic. With the exception of "Uncle Tom is Dead," this one could have been done fifty years ago. It would be nearly impossible for me to pick a favorite cut on this CD. As for least favorite, I would have to say, "Uncle Tom is Dead," and this is a story that must be passed on. Bottom line, this disc is one of the best I've heard all year. - Bill Wilson Julian Fauth Songs of Vice and Sorrow Electro-Fi 3391 This one hit my desk with a note attached by the label's president that simply stated, "Give this one a listen. You might like it." Did he ever hit the nail on the head… Songs of Vice and Sorrow is one of the hottest things I've heard in ages. This one held me speechless, from beginning to end. It drips with pure, raw emotional power. Fauth is an exceptional piano player, vocalist, guitarist and songwriter. While a quick listen might lead one to believe they were listening to an old seasoned veteran, that is only partially true. Julian is a young artist (in his early 30s), who both writes blues music from a fresh perspective and sings and plays in his own unique style. He is, however, a seasoned veteran, performing constantly for a number of years on the club scene. This was one piece that I found hard to review. Quite frankly, if I could only afford one CD this year, I think this would be the one. It is truly that good. Julian states in the liner notes: "I want to emphasize that I play good, clean barrelhouse blues (with occasional flights of insanity) that the whole family can enjoy. There's something for everyone, murder, robbery, drugs, gang violence, prostitution…" Perhaps a bit on the dark side, Songs of Vice and Sorrow is refreshing. This is anything but the same old rehashed crap. Fauth wrote most of the CD's tunes. The remainder receive his unique spin. Julian Fauth is the real deal. This is money well spent. - Bill Wilson Jonah Gregory Dr. Whiskey Shivers Self - Produced Jonah, a.k.a. Dr. Whiskey Shivers, has been making a name for himself in Billtown's blues scene for a number of years now, studying under Williamsport's finest musicians, fronting his own band, and now striking out solo and acoustic. This is not his first acoustic effort. Jonah has two CDs with Jay Short, under the name Crooked Letter…both "High Cotton" and "White Boys Lost in the Blues" are stunning efforts. "White Boys Lost in the Blues" also introduced us to Rosey Short, Jay's daughter, a great vocalist with tremendous stage presence. That was then… this is now. Suffice it to say; the good Doctor has learned his lessons well. His self-titled solo release, while short, is exceptional. Dr. Whiskey Shivers is an extremely passionate piece, dripping with pure, raw emotional power. While young in years, Gregory shows himself to be an old soul. The CDs six tunes offer some well-chosen traditional tunes as well as some self-penned works. The covers are beautifully done, showing reverence to the old masters. The CD opens with "Cocaine Blues", moves on to "Salty Dog ", and the remaining cover is "East Saint Louis Blues". Each is worked with Gregory's own personal spin. Of even greater interest to me were the disc's three original numbers. This is some of the finest songwriting I've heard. More than words on a page, Jonah bares his soul. The songs come straight from the heart and reach directly to the heart of the listener. Seldom have I heard pieces this powerful. Bearing in mind that this is a young artist, still working out the kinks, I'd venture to say the boy is bound for greatness. This piece comes highly recommended. - Bill Wilson M. Scott Horn Fake As The Blue Self-Produced Based in Akron, Ohio, Horn is a singer/songwriter well worth giving a "good listen". This cat has talent, to be sure, and is a wonderful storyteller. I could not in all honesty call this a Blues record, but if he were to be performing in my hometown, I'd be among the first in line for tickets. During the Blues revival of the 1960s, legendary Blues players were being introduced on both Folk and Jazz venues. Scott Horn shows enough of that Blues influence to grab my attention…and has enough talent going for him to hold that interest throughout. If, like me, you cut your teeth (musically speaking) on Folk and what has been termed Americana or Roots Music, this one might well be to your liking. Singer/songwriters are the earliest of the musical entertainers, the backbone of the business…and all too often the least respected of all artists. From time to time artist lays fingers to strings and beauty is created. Give this one a listen. You might just stumble across a diamond in the rough. - Bill Wilson Mark Hummel Ain't Easy No More Electro-Fi 3398 Mark Hummel is a road warrior, honing his skills in the roughest of all environments…performing almost nightly before crowds large and small, in venues ranging from concert halls to tiny roadhouses. Rated high on the list of the world's greatest harp players, Mark has a distinct advantage. His band, the Blues Survivors, is as tight as units get. They have been living, traveling and playing together for quite some time, and operate like a well-oiled machine. Ain't Easy No More features a variety of blues styles, ranging from swing to Chicago blues with a stop in New Orleans. The harmonica work on this CD is strong, full-bodied, rich and passionate. This is the work of a band that has a deep love for the music and it shows. If the disc has any weak point it would be Mark's vocals, and quite frankly, they're not all that weak. Given the opportunity, do yourself a favor and catch this band in concert. You won't regret it. I recommend this CD highly, especially to harmonica fans. - Bill Wilson The J.W. Jones Blues Band Kissing In 29 Days NorthernBlues Music 0035 Wow! Lately our Canadian Blues friends have been sending us more than cold weather: hot Blues from the likes of Doug Cox and Sam Hurrie, Downchild, Brian Blain, and this release from the J.W. Jones Blues Band. Jones and company have been on the scene for about seven years but this is the first CD to infiltrate the Blue Notes office. This is contemporary urban Blues. The tight rhythm section consists of Jones (guitar, vocals), Nathan Morris (electric and upright bass), Artie Makris (drums), and Geoff Daye (keyboards). The Wind Chill Factor Horns add some sophisticated punch. Tenor sax legend David "Fathead" Newman guests on three tracks. This CD is horn heavy without being overbearing. Jones is no slouch on guitar and he wrote all the songs except for three covers by Little Milton, Jimmy McCracklin and a killer take on Ray Charles' "Hallelujah I Love Her So." Urban and urbane, this album has a jazzy feel to it that will more than satisfy lovers of citified and complex Blues. Quite simply, it swings. - Smokin' Joe Miklos "Smokin" Joe Kubek & Bnois King My Heart's in Texas Blind Pig 5102 Born in Grove City, PA and raised in Irving, Texas, Smokin' Joe Kubek began playing clubs around Dallas when he was fourteen. He quickly became interested in Blues, and formed his own band. Shortly thereafter, he began playing rhythm guitar behind Freddie King. He studied at the feet of the Texas guitar slinger until King's death, in 1976. In 1989 he teamed up with Louisiana native Bnois King, and the rest is history. Kubek's frenzied, flame-throwing guitar display, tempered by the remarkable accompaniment of Bnois King's jazz influenced guitar, was a match made in heaven. My Heart's In Texas is the band's third Blind Pig release, a live recording that somehow manages to capture the energy and excitement of a show. Hats off to the technicians…this one sounds great! Hard driving, solid, hard core, gut level and down to earth are all phrases that came to mind when this one began to play. This is Texas Blues to the core, and I've never heard it played better. Kubek and King both smoke on guitars and Bnois King's vocals are stronger than ever. This dynamic duo has produced yet another phenomenal piece of work, writing all but two of the CD's twelve tracks. This one pretty much smokes from beginning to end. If you're a fan of Texas Blues, this one should be just what the doctor ordered. - Bill Wilson Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials Rattleshake Alligator 4909 If you want Blues that lends new meaning to the term high energy, Rattleshake is it. Lil' Ed Williams and band have been delivering frantic, crowd pleasing music for years. Anyone who heard them at the Billtown Blues Festival can attest to that. This, their sixth album on Alligator is no exception. The opening track is Motown's Holland and Dozier's "Leaving Here" given the rave up treatment. Lil' Ed's guitar work is scorching and Michael Garrett's rhythm guitar adds a real dose of punch. "Tired Of Crying" follows with some great rockin' piano by guest Johnny Iguana. James Young (bass) and Kelly Littleton (drums) are a frenetic rhythm section upping the excitement factor. Williams and wife Pamela wrote the bulk of the songs with James Young contributing a couple and a cover of Elmore James' "You Know You're Wrong." There's also a cover of J.B. Hutto's "That's The Truth." Hutto was Lil' Ed's uncle and inspiration. Rattleshake is absolutely relentless. -Smokin' Joe Miklos Janiva Magness Do I Move You? NorthernBlues 0033 I'm familiar with Janiva Magness through Goodtime Charlie's Blues Brunch but sometimes you just can't find or afford the stuff. The folks at NorthernBlues have been putting out some great material and this, Ms. Magness's third or fourth CD, is one more on the list. Janiva Magness has a full throaty voice with good range and knows how to use it to drag full emotion out of the songs. You must mean it when you play the Blues. Janiva Magness approaches her craft with passion; no doubt about it. Willie Dixon's "Workin' On Me Baby" gets the tough gal treatment and Delbert McClinton's "You Were Never Mine" is delivered with emotional depth and grace. The upbeat numbers like "Stealin' Sugar" have a strutting, swaggering attitude. Janiva Magness has sincerity and large talent. If you like your Blueswomen convincing and large voiced, this is for you. As for me, it only gets better with each listen. Go get 'em, Janiva! You do move me. -Smokin' Joe Miklos Jas. Mathus Old Scool Hot Wings TNR1008 Mathus has a deep-rooted love for the South and for the music in particular. Old Scool Hot Wings is old-time music played by people who know and love all of its many aspects. This is not Blues, not Country, not Jazz and not Gospel. More than music, this represents a way of life. This recording being "old school", I opted to give some elderly friends a listen. Without exception, they were thrilled. "They don't make music like that anymore." Guess again…this is a new release, and as relevant today as when its earliest tunes were written. "Voice of a Pork Chop" goes back to 1911 and is as much fun today as nearly a century ago. This stuff hearkens to a time when black and white, while issues, were transcended by the music. Music was, and is, all-important. Bottom line…Old Scool Hot Wings is fun, easy on the ear and the real deal. When Mathus goes back to the roots he really goes back to the roots. Among my favorite tunes on the disc were "Tappin' That Thing", "Old Rugged Cross" and "Voice of a Pork Chop", but there's not a bad apple in the barrel. Call this one Blues, call it Country, call it Americana, it is certainly worth a good listen. I'll be buying multiple copies to give as gifts. - Bill Wilson Midnight Shift Bullet Proof Self Release 002 Midnight Shift consists of Mike Mettalia (harp and vocals), George Riola (guitar), Doug Brown (bass and second guitar), and Nick Lauro (drums). The Lehigh Valley has a pretty good Blues scene and Midnight Shift is one of its premier bands. Frontman Mettalia was formerly with Crosscut Saw and penned most of the songs here. Most of the songs on Bullet Proof are straight ahead jumpin' Blues. There's a bit of Rockabilly as witnessed by "Heartsick." Metallia has a warm engaging voice. His harp work stays mostly in the mid range which he has a great command of. "Built For Speed" is an answer song to Willie Dixon's "Built For Comfort" and "Unemployment Risin'" is topical and self explanatory. The band is skilled and the pace is quick and rockin'. Bullet Proof is a darn good effort. A local appearance by Midnight Shift would be appreciated. - Smokin' Joe Miklos Charlie Musselwhite Delta Hardware Real World 58547 Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Charlie Musselwhite is one of the world's greatest harmonica players. With thirty Handy Awards to his credit to date and a nomination for Harmonica Player of the year in May 2006, he is no stranger to the Blues community. His work can be heard on over 100 releases, from Tom Waits to Ben Harper and John Lee Hooker to Bonnie Raitt. Then, let us not forget his own prolific career. His releases are strong and consistent. Delta Hardware is no exception. Rough hewn powerful, energetic, often dark and emotionally charged, Delta Hardware might, in some respects serve as a wake-up call. It's a tough world we live in. Let's pull together and make the best of the situation at hand. Musselwhite states: "For me, it's about the feeling, and connecting with people. And blues, if it's real blues, is loaded with feeling. And it ain't about technique either, it's about truth, connecting to the truth and communicating with people." I would have to say that this is perhaps the best piece of work Charlie has ever done…perhaps "one of the best" would be more appropriate. Musselwhite has fought many tough battles to date rising above them and making the experience work to his advantage. Heard here with his regular touring band, Delta Hardware is played tight, flawlessly and from the heart. With Delta Hardware, Musselwhite says simply, "I'm keepin' it real. For the listener, I hope it's like a journey, I hope each tune takes 'em to another little place, and I hope at the end they're glad they went." I, for one, am glad I went. Musselwhite's playing is stronger and more emotionally charged than ever. He is in good voice, his harp work is exceptional and the band is tight. Over the years fans have been thrown a couple of wildly wonderful curves. Delta Hardware is straight-ahead, hard-drivin' and as good as it gets. This one comes highly recommended. - Bill Wilson Olga Now Is The Time TNR 1007 This is one of those pieces that took a while to grow on me, but grow on me it did. I do love this material. Here, Blues Country, Gospel and everything but the kitchen sink blend for a sound that is as warm as your grandmother's kitchen. It was recorded in memory of Memphis Minnie, and I do believe the lady would approve wholeheartedly. Simple, flowing, easy going and not so tightly regimented that there's no room for a bit of fun, Now Is The Time strikes a chord in the heart. Accompanied by husband Jimbo Mathus on all cuts and various other artists throughout the CD, this one offers no high-tech pyrotechnics, no special effects, just solid music performed quite well by artists who have a deep knowledge and true love for the music. Quite frankly, we used to have impromptu jam sessions every weekend where every musician for miles would gather to trade licks, shoot the shit and tip back more than a few drinks. This CD has very much that same laid back feeling. The disc also highlights Olga's talents as a songwriter, with 8 of the 12 tunes her originals and three tunes traditional numbers with additional verses written by Olga. Memphis Minnie's "What's The Matter With The Mill" is the one exception…and, perhaps my favorite cut on the CD. - Bill Wilson Lou Pride Keep On Believing Severn 0037 Severn Records has been a prime proponent for what is now called Soul Blues but was once called Soul. With this, the latest release by Lou Pride, Severn are holding to what appears to be their unstated mission. Pride is a slick singer with a full rich voice that delivers the message. I love an album that's front loaded and the opening track "Midnight Call" delivers the goods. Funky horns and backup singers and a charging beat make this one danceable cheatin' song. Lou Pride has a strong sense of what constitutes Soul and how to get it across. He composed all but one song on Keep On Believing. This CD bears repeated listening and gets better with each play. If you're a fan of the sixties Stax/Volt sound Lou Pride will definitely appeal to you. - Smokin' Joe Miklos Duke Robillard Guitar Groove-A-Rama Stony Plain 1316 Well the Duke's back again with a CD full of hot licks, groovey guitar, some of the coolest Blues around and a sprinkling of Jazz. This is Duke Robillard's turf and he's staked his claim, mining a wealth of great music. Guitar Groove-A-Rama was conceived by Robillard as a concept album to showcase the sounds and influences that make up his style. Robillard is a veritable Renaissance man of the Blues, fluent in it's myriad forms. This has kept him popular with guitar lovers for years along with his facile playing. What a crazy quilt of an album. "Do the Memphis Grind" is a funky instrumental with a Steve Cropper feel to it. "Gambler Blues" is a deep rooted boogie by Lil' Son Jackson, gritty and tough. Bob Dylan's "Down Along The Cove" gets a light Rockabilly treatment to great effect. The old standard "Danny Boy" is played as Jazz. The traditional "Dark Eyes" has funky sax in it and works in a way that's somewhat exotic. I think you get the picture. Duke Robillard is a master of many styles. He's succeeded with his concept. Or you can ignore the concept and just get into this for what it is: a great musician playing some of the best guitar around.- Smokin' Joe Miklos Lee Rocker Racin' The Devil Alligator 4907 Why review a Rockabilly album in a Blues magazine? Because the Blues and Rockabilly are inextricably linked. Elvis covered Arthur Crudup ("That's Alright") and Johnny Burnette took Tiny Bradshaw's "The Train Kept A' Rollin"' and transformed it into something new. Later the Yardbirds morphed it further into one of the most ferocious pieces of Blues Rock recorded. Lee Rocker was the bassist in the Stray Cats during the Rockabilly revival of the early 80's. While fellow Cat Brian Setzer moved on to neo-Swing, Rocker has stuck with what he does. And boy does he do it well. Racin' opens with "The Girl From Hell" and that defines the tone and mindset. It rips and tears with a vengeance, Rocker's voice yowling and charging with a noisy and fierce attack. This is the kind of stuff that scared my parents half to death. And it just doesn't let up. A cover of the Cats' "Rock This Town" gets updated with supercharged style. Standout tracks include "Runnin' From The Hounds," a prison break song with a Johnny Cash style walking bass line that almost has a John Lee Hooker feel to it and "Race Track Blues" is about when the bets are down and the horses don't run right. Rocker has assembled a great band who works around his thunderous and melodic bass with an understanding of what Rockabilly should sound like. And they're loud! One last point, our B&W scan of the CD cover doesn't do justice to what it looks like. The art practically visually defines Rock n' Roll attitude. Non Blues album of the year. - Smokin' Joe Miklos John Scofield That's What I Say Verve 4360 Jazz guitar virtuoso John Scofield is, in some respects, as unpredictable as the weather…fans never knowing what direction his latest work might turn. In the case of That's What I Say, Scofield tackles the works of Ray Charles. Scofield leads a star studded tribute to Brother Ray that brings together some of the greatest names in Jazz, Rock, Pop, Blues, Gospel and Soul. Ray was a major influence on all those styles and more. The core unit for this project includes Scofield on guitars, Larry Goldings on keyboards, Willie Weeks on bass and Steve Jordan on drums. Add Warren Haynes, John Mayer, Aaron Neville, David "Fathead" Newman, Dr. John, Mavis Staples and more to the mix and the result is about as sweet as it gets. The tunes read like a superb greatest hits collection, covering everything from "Busted" and "What'd I Say" to "The Night Time Is The Right Time" and "Georgia On My Mind". This is as good a tribute as I've seen… upbeat, funky, lots of soul, and highly entertaining. Brother Ray would be proud! - Bill Wilson Dr. Duke Tumatoe & the Power Trio You've Got The Problem! Blind Pig 5108 You say Tomato I say Tumatoe, anyway you slice it, this one is sweet. The good Doctor hits his listeners with a double whammy. Not only does his work have a mature comedic touch, but the musicianship on this disc is impeccable. Folks may recognize him for his regular gig on the nationally syndicated "Bob and Tom" radio show, as leader of the All-Star Frogs, the Power Trio or as a member of REO Speedwagon. This is the kind of thing that, in the day of the LP, would have been worn smooth due to frequent play. People like something that makes them laugh…and if it is a bit on the "mature" side, even better. You've Got The Problem! will make you laugh at times, to be sure, but it will also make you think and make your feet move. Lyrically this one is good…instrumentally it is exceptional. Duke Tumatoe & the Power Trio have what it takes to get the job done. My personal favorite, while it's hard to choose, would be "My Baby Is A Nudist." My guess is that we all know one. This CD is solid. There's not a lot of "flash" musically, but the playing is as good as it gets. This is one tight unit. The lyrics are by no means all comedy, but are thought provoking, not relying on vulgarity to get cheap laughs. You've Got The Problem! is a top-notch Blues release. I recommend this one highly. If you don't enjoy this one, you may indeed have a problem. - Bill Wilson Watermelon Slim and the Workers Watermelon Slim and the Workers Northern Blues Music 0032 From the start, this one caught my ear and held my attention through to the end. Bill "Watermelon Slim" Homans is an exceptionally talented individual, playing harp, Dobro, slide guitar, belting out some mean vocals and, more likely than not, cleaning the venue after the gig was finished. In short, this guy can pretty much do it all. He is also an accomplished songwriter, writing (or co-writing) nearly every song on the disc. This band is the real deal…hard driving, down to earth and funky enough to make James Brown sit up and take notice. This is real music for real people. This is a group of hard working individuals, playing from the depths of their souls, and coming across with pure raw emotional power. This CD has more balls than a room full of Navy Seals. High energy, exceptional musicianship, gut level gritty vocals and one of the tightest bands in the business makes Watermelon Slim and the Workers one of the hottest things I've heard in ages. If this one doesn't move you, you're already dead! The more I listen to this piece, the more I like it… and I liked it a lot with the first listen. - Bill Wilson Willie "Big Eyes" Smith Way Back Hightone Records 8192 Willie is perhaps the most greatly recognized and highly honored drummers in the entire Blues community. At age 70, he is stronger than ever, and branching out musically. Way Back shows the legendary figure where he should be…up front and solidly in the lead. A quick glance at his discography shows that he has appeared on well over 100 recordings ranging from Muddy Waters, with whom he spent about 20 years, to Walter Horton, Homesick James, Zora Young, Pinetop Perkins and countless others. He's also got an impressive five solo recordings under his belt. Through it all, he has garnered a phenomenal ten W.C. Handy Awards (now called the Blues Music Awards), the respect of musicians worldwide and the undying love of Blues fans everywhere. To review a Willie "Big Eyes" Smith album is not to answer the question "Is it worth the listeners time and hard earned dough", but: "What is the master up to this time?" Way Back features Willie in more of a lead role, writing better than half the tunes on the album, blowing lots of harp, singing throughout the disc, but playing drums on only two cuts. The other cuts are left for his son, Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, who has also studied with such great drummers as Odie Payne, Fred Below, Earl Phillips, S. P. Leary, Francis Clay and Art Blakey. The disc also includes Pinetop Perkins, James Cotton, Calvin "Fuzz" Jones, Bob Stroger, Bob Margolin and more. This is Chicago Blues at its finest, played by more than a few of the best performers in the business. This one should be issued with a money back guarantee. While there are no pyrotechnics here it is solid as a rock. 'Nuff said! - Bill Wilson Dan Stevens Road To Memphis Self-produced Dan Stevens won our Blues Challenge a few years back and has become a local favorite due to his frequent performances at the Bullfrog Brewery. His sets are very strong and he has no problem catching the audience. The Road To Memphis CD was recorded live at the Church House in January 2005. If you've never heard Stevens you'll be both pleased and impressed. This is Dan Stevens at his best: engaging, powerful and connected with the audience. This album as well as being entertaining could also be a textbook on traditional acoustic Blues. Featured are songs by the Reverend Gary Davis (both spiritual and secular), Son House, Memphis Minnie, Willie Dixon, and Robert Johnson. About half the songs are Stevens' own. "Ramblin'", "Shake Your Lovin'" and "Broke Down And Hungry" really shine. Dan performs his friend Toby Walker's "Sleepin' Alone." It's a high point of the album. ;If you've heard Dan Stevens live you'll really enjoy this piece. If you haven't, this is a great starting point and will probably get you hooked. Available from Dan at P.O. Box 4028, Old Lyme CT 06771 or www.danstevens.net, or go see Dan live and get a double dose. - Smokin' Joe Miklos Susan Tedeschi Hope and Desire Verve Forecast 511 Her fourth release, and debut release on Verve Forecast, is a bit of a change for Tedeschi. This one features all cover tunes, and Doyle Bramhall II and her husband, Derek Trucks, provide the guitar work. Susan channels her energies into vocal interpretations of the well-chosen tunes. I found this to be a nice change of pace and quite refreshing. The CD has a nice feel, is well orchestrated, and is easy on the ear. Seems there is more to Susan Tedeschi than meets the eye. The band on this album is superb and the vocal work is soulful and powerful. I find myself having an even greater respect for the veteran multi-talented artist. This one touched my soul. Hard rockin' boogie catches my ear every time, but Hope and Desire shows me a new dimension entirely. Susan Tedeschi comes of age. - Bill Wilson Reverend Billy C. Wirtz Sermon From Bethlehem Blind Pig 5101 Say what you will about the Reverend Billy C. Wirtz, he is a superb showman, exceptional piano player, great writer and one hell of a storyteller. Wirtz grew up in that musical melting pot that is Washington DC, immersed in classic Blues, R&B, Country and Soul. One of those defining moments in his life came when he attended a Gospel show. After graduating from college with a degree in special education, he befriended Sunnyland Slim, moved to Chicago and studied at the feet of the master. Billy gained quite a reputation in the Washington DC area, working with numerous bands including Root Boy Slim & the Sex Change Band, Evan John & the H-Bombs and the Nighthawks before pursuing his solo career in 1982. Much like an evangelist at a tent revival, The Reverend Billy knows how to manipulate an audience. Also like an evangelist, Billy hits his audience right between the ears with the truth. For better than 20 years Billy has been spreading his gospel of love and tolerance. Life is far too short not to enjoy. Sermon From Bethlehem, recorded live at Godfrey Daniels, in Bethlehem, PA, is delightful from start to finish. I doubt it's possible to listen to this (or any other Billy C. Wirtz CD) and not crack a smile…or roll on the floor with laughter. But wait, there's more. This show was also captured on film and released on DVD which includes material not on the CD. These pieces are highly recommended. If you like Blues piano and like to have a good time, these are a great deal. - Bill Wilson  |
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