Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings “In Concert”. Inakustik / MVD Entertainment. In 1992 Bill Wyman left The Stones to devote himself to play the music he really loved and liked most. First he did it with Willie & The Poor Boys, a group formed in the middle of the eighties, and then with his definitive band, The Rhythm Kings, he has been playing with since the end of the nineties. The group drinks from blues, jazz soul, rock and roll, swing, jump. Jive, rhythm and blues, americana, pop sources and, in short, from genuine United States black music. They gather the music they love and adapt it to their own style, with a careful respect to the original songs, together with a delightful stage presence, an amazing mastery performing and faultless arrangements. The DVD was recorded live in 2002, during a show they offered at popular German TV show “Onhe Filter – Musik Pur”. The super band included founder, live and soul of the group Bill Wyman together with Graham Broad, Gary Borroker, Georgie Fame, Albert Lee, Terry Taylor, Frank Mead, Nick Payn, Janice Hoyte and Beverly Skeete. A deluxe band to perform a selection of twelve perfect and well structured songs like “Let The Good Times Roll”, “Jitteburg Boogie”, “Melody”, “Jump, Jive & Wail”, “I Put A Spell On You”, “Anyway The Wind Blows”, “Mystery Train” or “Groovin’” to only mention the ones I love best. Besides sixty intense minutes of live music, the DVD includes an interview to the producer, a small Bill Wyman biography and sound tuning too. If you like good music, you are a Stones’ fan. or simply you admire Bill Wyman, you must immediately get a DVD copy… And, enjoy it, fellows!. GREAT.

Jimmy Blythe “Messin’ Around Blues”. Delmark 2007. Delicious new recording from Delmark Records which are eagerly publishing years gone small treasures. The turn is now for an splendid album that gathers some piano player Jimmy Blythe old recordings to make us enjoy with the most genuine real twenties Chicago South Side blues sound. Blues, rags, stomps, strides or boogie-woogie on unusual transcriptions of Nickelodeon rolls with amazing straight hot piano solos make up an excellent record that will satisfy all fans of the special old sound that could be heard at new Orleans barrelhouses, saloons and brothels, in fashion at that time, when artists like Henry Thomas, Cripple Clarence Lofton, Jimmy Yancey, Cow Cow Davenport, Albert Ammons, Montana Taylor, Pinetop Smith, Meade Lux Lewis, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton and, of course, Jimmy Blythe were at the peak of their musical career. Jimmy was a gifted piano player and song writer and became a great influence on Chicago blues and jazz scene. Unfortunately he died of meningitis when he was only thirty years old (1901-1931), but during his short intense musical career, he had the opportunity to share stage of back such legendary musicians like Louis Armstrong, Johnny Dodds, Ma Rainey, Blind Blake, Lonnie Johnson or Scrapper Blackwell, and do different recordings for Paramount or Vocalion, besides some other less known labels. Here is one of the most recently published interesting albums. Will you miss it?. ESSENTIAL.

Little Arthur Duncan “Live At Rosa’s Blues Lounge”. Delmark 2008. Singer and harmonica player Arthur Duncan was born in Indianola, Mississippi, seventy five years ago and has recently passed away. He traveled to Chicago when he was only seventeen, looking for fame and money, but he did not get them. But he often met Little Walter who encouraged him to play harp. During the day Arthur worked as building worker and he spent nights blowing and singing, almost unnoticed, on small clubs and bars where names like John Brim, Eddie Taylor, Floyd Jones used to go. Arthur’s life changed in 2008 when he gradually became quite well known among blues fans all over the world. This excellent record, which has also been published on DVD format, gathers fifteen intense powerful songs, recorded live August 18th 2007,  at Chicago Rosa’s Lounge, backed by his ‘Backscratchers’ where you will find such good musicians like Illinois Slim on guitar or good fellow Twist Turner on drums. All songs included are really amazing, only mention “Little Red Roster”, “I Got To Find My Baby”, “Blues With a Feeling” or “44 Blues”. If you are not familiar with this bluesman, now is a good time to learn about him. Enjoy with this splendid, genuine funny “School House Rockin’ Party”. GREAT.

Jimmy Hall “Rendezvous With The Blues” Rockin’. Camel Music 2006. A superb piece of work coming from Alabama independent record label Rockin’ Camel Music. This time, they have just published a reissue of Jimmy Hall’s excellent album recorded in 1996 plus three bonus tracks. Jimmy Hall is an amazing song writer, harp and saxo player but, over all, he is an emotional intense singer with a mannish voice who has a wide knowledge of different musical styles from blues to southern rock. Jimmy gives the best of himself on a passionate performing along the fourteen songs included on the CD. He is backed by guitar players Jack Pearson and Kelvin Holly, Clayton Ivey on piano, Bill Stewart on drums, David Hood on bass and Dr. Dan Matrazzo on Hamond B-3. Finally mention the best singers on different Jeff Beck bands were Rod Stewart and of course Jimmy Hall. I can only thank independent label Rockin’ Camel Music for the great work they are doing with records like this one or Johnny Barbato & The Lucky Dogs, Microwave Dave & The Nukes, Capricorn Rhythm Section, Kenny Acosta or Danny Brooks ones, among others, Congratulations!! GREAT.

Varios Artistas “Blues & Roots Australia 2008 Vol.5”. BAR Promotions 2008. It has just been published a new album devoted to independent most interesting Australian bands and musicians. BAR Promotions again bets on Australian musicians but keeping always quality over any other reason or interest. Fifteen cool gifted and high sensitivity musicians are included on the fifth volume of the series, where you will find some old familiar names such as The Others, Men In Blues or Andy Cowan as well as some new values completely unknown for the majority of blues fans outside the island, like Juzzie Smith or Jaimi Faulkner. You will also find Bar Promotion manager director JilianJake herself, as singer on “I’ve Changed My Mind” and the only thing I can say is she is really amazing. GREAT.

Dave Fields “Time’s A Wastin’”. FMI Records / BlindRaccoon 2007. Song writer and producer Dave Fields also is a skilful virtuoso multinstruments player besides an excellent singer of great talent which becomes evident on this very interesting album recorded about a year ago. Twelve original Dave`s songs where he plays guitar, bass, piano, organ, steel guitar and, of course, sings in all songs. The rest of musicians only play drums, harmonica and horns. After his first album “Field Of Vision” recorded in 2005 where Dave flirted with jazz rock fusion, now comes “Time’s A Washing” where he completely gets into blues, paying homage to the music he deeply loves. Fields has given the best of himself to this new project and shows a wide musical knowledge which allows him to cover a range of different sounds, together with an amazing creativity, good taste and a cool but at the same time passionate performing. A CD to be remembered and enjoyed every time you listen to it. GREAT.