Vicente Zumel's CD Reviews

July 2009 CD Review
Joe Louis Walker “Witness To The Blues”. Stony Plain / Dixiefrog 2008. One of the most stunning things of singer, guitar player and song writer Joe Louis Walker is his show production and his powerful, energetic, completely effective live performing. People who have enjoyed him on stage, say it is an unforgettable experience. During the sixties Joe was an active member of San Francisco Bay blues scene, where he got different influences such as T-Bone Walker, Amos Milburn and other boogie-woogie masters like Pete Johnson and Meade Lux Lewis. Walter settled in Westchester, New York, some years ago where he has got a high reputation and respect, thanks to his huge discography and his magnetic power on stage. Eleven varied enjoyable songs, covering from acoustic blues to ‘rockin’ horn-laden’ tunes that remind pure vintage Stax sound. You will also find some great names as guest musicians, like Shemekia Copeland, Bruce Katz, Doug James or Duke Robillard. GREAT.
Robin Rogers “Treat Me Right”. Blind Pig / Karonte 2008. Harmonica player song writer and powerful self-confident singer, with a wide chromatic vocal range, Robin Rogers has done a well conceived serious work, where contemporary blues becomes the main style, thanks to bright Robin’s voice, sometimes with a broken tone, sometimes with a deep intense soft feeling, but always with a convincing charismatic expression. Robin performs with a warm deep passion every song included on the CD. The eleven CD songs are remarkable but if I had to bring out one, I would certainly choose “Color Blind Angel”, a song dedicated to Viola Liuzzo’s life and death, a white woman who fight for civil rights and was murdered by K.K.K. in 1965. Excellent album, where fine class and good taste come together, thanks to the amazing work of a bunch of very professional musicians and drummer Jim Brok’s final CD production. GREAT.
Nappy Brown “Long Time Coming”. Blind Pig / Karonte 2008. Bright charismatic singer of great talent, Nappy Grown comes again to the effective rolling blues and rhythm & blues music, on a tremendous successful comeback, with Sean Costello, Bob Margolin or Junior Watson, among other great blues artists who have collaborated into this amazing ‘rentrée’. Although Nappy began his career with gospel music, for financial reasons he soon devoted himself to blues and rhythm & blues (luckily for us, fans), with some successful songs along the fifties, such as “Don’t Be Angry”, included on this new CD. Twelve varied high quality songs Nappy performs with very good taste, coming from Ray Charles, Pete Johnson (impressive “Cherry Red” version that can stand alongside Big Joe Turner’s one) or Willie Dixon, among some of great blues composers Brown has included on the CD songs. A real tribute to classic Afro-American music that will not let indifferent any blues lover. ESSENTIAL
Keith Crossan “Beatnik Jungle”. Self / Christine Vitale 2007. Undoubtedly this CD deserves an excellent qualification, not only for the high level of the playing musicians but also for its final production, the horn arrangements skill and the enormous quality of the eight CD songs. “Beatnik Jungle” is the debut album of an experienced bright and versatile sax player, gifted with and extreme tasteful talent he shows in every solo he plays with different saxes, flute or harmonica. This is his first piece of work and Keith gives us eight instrumental tracks where he cleverly combines jazz and blues. Some outstanding long established Bay area musicians have also contributed in the CD, such as Tommy Castro, Billy Lee Lewis & Randy McDonald, Austin DeLone, Tom Poole, Mike Rinta or Tom Rigney among others. A unrepeatable album that should be taken into account. GREAT.
Willie G “The Lone Caroler”. Tropicana 2001. // Willie G “Fresh Cut”. Self 2003. Wille G is not an ordinary singer, he is an experienced vocalist, hardened in thousand battles gifted with an amazing great voice. Willie has been involved into the blues business for more than thirty years, although he is also an expert on soul, rhythm & blues, jazz and he even can become the most crooner singer you can imagine. “Fresh Cut” and “The Lone Caroler” give us Willie’s original songs done with an extreme taste and cleverness that could rival those of his most admired idols like B.B. King, Johnnie Taylor or Bobby Blue Bland he deeply admires and respects. And this amazing singer can also be proud to have shared stage with Ruth Brown, Solomon Burke, John Lee Hooker, Jeffrey Osborne, Billy Preston or Diana Ross shinning at the same high level that those great luminaries. Willie G is a unique artist with an overflowing energy he communicates in every song included in both CDs, and an electrifying power which makes him different. The musical value of both records is big and high, thanks to the bunch of great musicians who participate on them. Simply mention three outstanding guitar players, Guitar Shorty, Johnny Nitro and Rusty Zinn… Can we say anything more? GREAT.
Dan Treanor & Richard Ray Farrell “Keepin’ Good Folks Joyful’”. Plan-It 2008. A clever pleasant combination of country blues, or rural blues if you prefer, spiced with some rock-blues details full of rhythm, groove and energy, thanks to the excellent rhythm basis these two powerful musicians have got and the deep musical language knowledge they have learned along their musical career. Eleven songs, some Treanor & Farell own compositions, together with different covers put down to T. Bone Walker, Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers or Hound Dog Taylor make up an honest powerful credible and even very actual record in the whole conception and arrangements. “Keepin’ Good Folks Joyful” has a captivating climax along the whole CD that makes you feel you would have loved to hear more of their songs. Dan Treanor is on harp and Ray Farrell on vocals and guitar together with Jodie Woodward on bass and Kyle Robert on drums. Fantastic! GREAT.
Elvin Bishop “The Blues Roll On”. Delta Groove 2008. A blues fans well known artist comes back to the recording studios to produce a new work full of magic, inspiration and feeling. Legendary singer and guitar player Elvin Bishop, the man who learned blues directly from Hound Dog Taylor and Little Smokey Smothers and belonged to irrepressible Paul Butterfield’s band, gives us an impressive unforgettable first class blues session, perfectly backed by a bunch of prestigious reliable guest musicians and friends. Only mention some names who have contributed along twelve songs with more than forty three electrifying blues minutes: B.B. King, James Cotton, Derek Trucks, George Thorogood, Kim Wilson, Tommy Castro, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Angela Strehli, John Németh and many other popular high quality musicians. An album without a single bad track on it that will not let indifferent any blues lover. ESSENTIAL.
Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcom “2 Man Wrecking Crew”.Delta Groove 2008. R.L. Burnside grandson, Cedric Burnside on vocals and drums and thirty five years old Missouri born singer and guitar player Lightnin’ Malcom, have joined forces on this duo project. Both musicians give us an excellent sample of their knowledge about hypnotic old country Delta blues, built over an original personal way of conceiving the blues that sometimes becomes quite minimalistic, as it shows the mixture of traditional and contemporary blues styles with a touch of funk, soul and even hip-hop music but always with the original ‘back-porch-blues’ flavor. Fourteen electrifying grooving own songs, really enjoyable for the conception both musicians give to the music they perfectly cook. You will also find as guest musicians Jason Ricci on harp, Bekka Bramlett and Etta Brito on vocals in some tunes. A highly recommended CD. GREAT.
Mitch Kashmar “Live At Labatt”. Delta Groove 2008. Many years have gone since singer and harmonica player Mitch Kashmar emerged into the blues world with his band The Pontiacs playing all around California. This happened more o less at the beginning of the eighties. Since then on, Mitch has been doing countless gigs, under his own name or backing other great names such as Lowell Fulson, Luther Tucker, John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, Pee Wee Crayton, Jimmy Witherspon, Eddie ‘Cleanhead’ Wilson or Big Joe Turner among others. Since Kashmar signed for Delta Groove, his popularity has daily grown up, and three years ago, he even won his first Blues Music Award. This is his third album for Delta Groove and Mitch Kashmar again shows why he is now one of the most worldwide reputed harmonica players. Ten powerful magnificent songs, perfectly conceived and performed which will certainly give pleasure and joy to all his fans, but also will let fans and new listeners discover, thanks to his amazing phrasing, the heritage of one of the greatest names like was William Clarke. GREAT.
Scissormen “Luck In A Hurry”. Vizztone 2008. This is the first album with international distribution of a very special artist whose mission is to drive music everywhere at any time, surrounded by his band musicians The Scissormen. Ted Drozdowski on guitar leads the band, and he becomes totally amazing when he plays slide. Original own songs performed naturally but with a great passion. The Scissormen have different influences from R.L. Burnside to Junior Kimbrough, but they also get elements of psychedelic rock and a punk touch. Eleven eclectic songs where vocals, song lyrics and specially slide guitar solos get the main roles, together with the special contribution of Teo Leyasmeyer on piano, who also played with Freddie King, Buddy Guy, Luther Allison and Johnny Copeland, and finally, a good bass and drums rhythm section. GOOD.
Bernie Pearl “Old School Blues” Bee Bump Music 2008. (2Cd’s). Two great albums that cover most of the repertoire of this excellent singer and guitar player whose main mission is to take acoustic and electric blues to all audiences who are willing to enjoy them. Double CD “Old School Blues” says everything, old and new blues done with love, passion and respect. The acoustic songs include different songs from Mance Lipscomb to Muddy Waters, Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup or his mentor and main influence Mississippi Fred McDowell, as well as other songs inspired on Blind Willie Johnson, Little Son Jackson or Brownie McGhee, all them a good example of how a man can feel and sincerely live blues music. The second album brings a more energetic passionate Bernie Pearl face where he shows his electrifying original feeling. Nine songs, among other treasures, Jimmy Reed’s “Baby, You Don’t have To Go”, Albert King’s “”Crosscut Saw” or Junior Parker’s “Driving Wheel”. He is backed on this second volume by Michael Barry on bass and double bass, Albert Trepagnier Jr on drums and Dwayne Smith on piano. GREAT.
Félix Slim “Better Alone”. Musical Fundamental 2008. We are facing one of the most genuine Spanish artists who play pre-war blues. Felix Slim is a real expert of the culture and traditional music of Blind Blake, Frank Stokes, Bo Carter, Son House, Big Joe Williams, Bukka White and the old twenties blues musician’s generation representing the spirit of deep rural blues. The CD includes sixteen songs where Felix gets into with the honesty and passion of a musician who really loves what he is doing and he does it well. Felix sings, plays different guitars, slide, harmonica and kazoo with a spontaneous skill. The result is a sincere relaxed album but at the same time very exciting one, for the passion and personal performing he gives to different styles, from Mississippi to ragtime, swing or Piedmont blues, as Felix perfectly knows all these musical techniques, including ‘finger-picking’ style. GREAT
Creech Holler “The Shovel And The Gun”. Bucket City 2008. Mystic, daring, gothic, hypnotic, suggestive, repetitive…. All these words and some other similar ones could be said to define the southern ‘Americana’ music of this alternative rock trio called Creech Holler who investigate into poetical fields but, at the same time, with hard and hurtful message and clear references to human misfortunes, death, murder and religious concepts. A trio with Jeff Zentner on vocals, guitar and banjo, Christian Brooks on drums, vocal support and foot stomp and Joseph Campbell on bass, melodic and vocal support. A CD that faithfully captivates the mentioned atmosphere, to be enjoyed by young audiences with avant-garde indie alternative tastes.
Chris Farlowe “Hotel Eingang”. Inakustik / MVD Entertainment 2008. If you talk about British blues history, you will certainly have to mention one of the essential names, singer Chris Farlowe. He was one of the musicians who carried out sixties British blues boom, that would be difficult to explain without musicians like Chris Youlden, Jo Ann Kelly, Alexis Korner, John Mayall or Chris Farlowe himself, among many others. Personally speaking, three of that time singers who have most impressed me are Garry Farr, Rod Stewart and specially Chris Farlowe, not only as Atomic Rooster or Coliseum singer, but also when he played alone or backed with some of his best friends. Chris gives the best of himself in this new CD, on a selection of thirteen faultless songs where his unbelievable voice and his talent for singing become immediately evident. Farlowe is perfectly backed by a bunch of high quality musicians who really know how to stress Chris skills. Welcome back again, Chris! GREAT.
Dave Lennox “Before Beyond & Blue”. Note Music 2008.A delicious album specially devoted to instrumental records collectors. Since he was a teenager, Dave Lennox has been playing keyboards, especially Hammond organ, and he has become a staunch fan of Jimmy McGriff and Jimmy Smith he deeply respects and worships. The CD includes eleven Lennox’ own songs and it is his second album recorded for Note Music company. Along the years his name has been in some way related with Thin Lizzy, The Equals, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Archie Shep, The Foundations, Jay Owens, Al Green or Ginger Baker, among other musicians who have sometimes asked for his collaboration. The album perfectly illustrates why we are facing one of the most reputed British Hammond players. A perfect CD to be continuously enjoyed with the jazz blues of a faultless musician, also gifted with a great technique, powerful riffs and an elegant relaxed phrasing. GREAT.
Ñaco Goñi “BluesCompany” Gaztelupeko Hotsak 1995. // Ñaco Y Los Bluescavidas “Director En Moby Dick Club” Gaztelupeko 1999. // Ñaco Goñi & Malcom Scarpa “1980 – 2000” Gaztelupeko Hotsak 2001. Along the last two decades Spanish blues fans have been lucky to enjoy with legions of excellent harmonica players, gifted with an enviable technique and mastery resources, such as Antonio Serrano or Joan Pau Cumellas among others who, although they are not properly blues players, have taken some blues influences along their musical career. But if we specially refer to blues music, we will also find excellent blues harmonica players, such as Maurici Morera, Víctor Puertas, Little Jordi, Tota or David Sánchez in Catalonia or harp monsters like Marcos Coll, Danny Boy or Mingo Balaguer in different places of Spain. But I have not mention the most emblematic one, Mr. Ñaco Goñi. He is the quintessential blues harmonica player, thanks to his charismatic personality, his amazing technique, fat tone, phasing, his creativity and self-confidence. Ñaco Goñi is a musician who was born to play blues and these three albums faithfully reflect it. Three essential records to become familiar with this quiet calm man, who blows harp as few musicians can do, a man who has really got the blues and gives them to the audience with an easy but at the same time, very passionate way. You will find along the three albums the best blues that is now played in Spain. He has also recruited some of the great national blues musicians, such as Francisco Simón, Tonky de la Peña, Kapo Alburquerque, Phineas Sánchez, Kike Jambalaya, Armando Marcé Edu Manazas or Malcolm Scarpa among others. Three different CDs, one recorded on studio including own songs and some Muddy Waters’, Little Walter’s and Joe McCoy’s versions, the second one recorded live, follows the same path than the previous one, with Eddie Boyd’s, Eddie C. Campbell’s and T-Bone Walker’s versions and the third one with a compilation of songs from other previous albums covering from 1984 to 2000. In short words, genuine traditional blues that good sensible fans must certainly get. GREAT.