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June 2010 CD Reviews
Cassandra Mathews & The San Francisco Gospel Divas Let’s Praise The Lord. Feelin’ Good 2009 Although I am not an expert in gospel music, I love this album, because it shows passion and commitment, an essential part of the important religious musical tradition of Afro-american people. Generally speaking, gospel music was a not very successful music for wide audiences, things are gradually changing and new audiences are now rediscovering this part of the historical tradition. The album includes fifteen marvelous examples of gospel style, deeply rooted into pure convincing tradition and ecclesiastic orthodoxy of old America Baptist and Protestant churches ancient choirs of the middle of last century. Four female voices that bring you a delightful passion with an honest commitment, Cassandra Mathews leads them and she also sings, writes and arranges songs and plays keyboards too, Elisa Anderson is the soprano voice, Bernetta Dunham, alto voice and finally Karen Devone. Four amazing voices on an original vocal group that will get you gooseflesh with their impressing parade of religious hymns.
Arthur Adams Stomp The Floor. Delta Groove Music 2009 Here comes a splendid sample of contemporary neo-soul blues and rhythm and blues performed by an elegant passionate musician. Arthur Adams is a well known name in Los Angeles blues circles where he has gained a solid reputation among local clubs audiences. With his voice and guitar, Arthur gives a good dose of his always vivacious music, filled with lots of groove and swing enough to arrive deep in your heart. He is backed by nine excellent musicians, bass players Reggie McBride and Lou Castro, keyboards player Hemse Powell, drummer James Gadson, percussion players Stacy-Lamont-Sydnor and David Leich, plus a horn section with Lee Thornberg on trumpet, Dave Woodford on sax and Garret Adkins on trombone in a couple of songs. So it is a brand new honest bright cd, with not a single bad track on it, with faultless arrangements and a perfect thread that strengthens Arthur Adams as an artist of great talent.
Smilin’ Bobby & Hidden Charms Big Legged Woman Wolf 2009 Finally and aged 70, blues singer and guitar player Smilin’ Bobby, has seen his dream come true, as he has published his first CD recorded under his own name. Bobby G. Smith was born in July 1939 in Helena, Arkansas, When he was fifteen years old he moved to Chicago West Side, where he began his adventure as blues musician playing around every Chicago blues club. Smilin’ Bobby has shared stage with many great musicians, such as Roy Buchanan, Magic Sam, Little Walter, Hound Dog Taylor, Little Wolf, Eddie Clearwater, Junior Wells, Vance Kelly, Buster Benton, Koko Taylor, Willie Dixon or Willie Kent among an endless list. So the CD will give you the opportunity to discover an extremely traditional singer and guitar player, gifted with a powerful intense style in the path of Jimmy Dawkins, Eddie Taylor or Magic Sam, that will give you an idea of what you will find on it. There is a superb debut album of a seventy years young man, who plays blues like a twenty years old musician.
Ñaco Goñi Blues Con Los Colegas Self Production 2009 This double CD comes from one of our most reputed Spanish harmonica players, Ñaco Goñi. It is a real delight, a blues magic party with overflowing feeling, great commitment and a priceless musical quality. You will find most of the ‘cream’ of Spanish blues artists on a selection of twenty-eight songs representing a variety of styles. A list menu with some of the best national musicians and bands and some international ones as well: Armando Marcé, Los Jokers, Whisky David, Bluescavidas, Tonky Blues Band, Edu Bighands, Whiskey Train, Antonio Serrano, J. Teixi Band, Fede Aguado, Amar Sundy, Miguel Rios, Miki Nervio y Bluesmakers, Mingo Balaguer, Danny Boy, Raimundo Amador, Stevie Zee, Tea, Xulian Freire, Christian Ranenberg, Jeff Spinoza, Los Reyes del K.O., 3.000 Hombres, Philip Guttman, Malcom Scarpa, Velma Powell, Gaby Gogeix, George Green, Salvador Domínguez, Claudio Gabis or Joaquin Sabina. This double CD comes with a notebook full of excellent pictures and a carefully done explanation of every song included with other additional information. The compilation you will find here is the result of a wide part of the history, the culture and the ‘pedigree’ of the actual generation of musicians who perform the music we share and love that is nowadays living with us stronger than ever, THE BLUES. Thank you, Ñaco!
Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters Living In The Light. Stony Plain / Karonte 2009 Living in The Light is the new work of one of the most interesting guitar players and song-writers in the actual music scene. Ronnie Earl is well known among blues fans, as he is already a veteran into the music business. Ronnie appeared into the blues scene in Boston in the middle of the seventies and he became internationally popular as member of Sugar Ray & The Bluetones. Since then on, he has developed a non-stop work, playing as a soloist or with Big Walter Horton, Jimmy Rogers, Roomful Of Blues, Duke Robillard or anyone who calls him if he is free or he feels at ease with people involved on every project he is asked to do. Ronnie Earl is a bright calm guitar player with a fine sensitivity and a technique that lines geniality and he undoubtedly has been born with a special gift to write excellent songs. For this cd, he has done nine of the twelve songs included and he has also counted with two amazing singers, Kim Wilson, who also plays harp, and Dave Keller on a couple of songs, besides his old friend Dave Maxwell on piano. In short words, a splendid album to be taken into account.
Billy Lavender Memphis Livin. I55 Productions / BlindRaccoon 2009 Excellent CD with blues and Americana music, by an artist gifted with amazing vocal, instrumental and vocal qualities. Billy Lavender brings us a first class album with inspired effective arrangements, backed by a selection of inspired able musicians. Born in Memphis, he shows a good dose of talent along this genuine and perfectly done cd, including fourteen intense songs, conceived with a tasteful music criteria. Some of the performing musicians are masters of Beale Street sound, such as singers Tony Adams, Ken Dinkins, Vince Johnson or Miss Reba Rusell, guitarist Brad Webb, harmonica players Vince Johnson and Blind Mississippi Morris, and some other ones who play the rest of the band instruments, bass, drums, B-3 organ and piano. A fine elegant sample of different styles and tempos, from slow to up-tempos,R&R, medium shuffling, grooves and other music surprises. Are you ready for the adventure? Billy Lavender and his musicians invite you to share it with them.
Darrell Mansfield Delta Blues; Son 1995. // Darrell Mansfield People Get Ready. Son 2009. Emotional singer with a powerful deep voice, Darrel Mansield is also a traditional blues harmonica player with a high rough sound that comes out of his distortioned amplifier. His music is half way to Mark Wenner’s or Magic Dick’s ones. Darrell was awarded with Hohnner Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Blues Hall of Fame in 2009. He has a wide long career on his back and a suitcase full of different experiences he has lived spending more than thirty years on the road, as he began to play music in 1974. He has also participated in more than 30 album recordings and, in 1976, he published his first album, Gentle Faith. Finally to only mention some of the pop great stars who have invited him to play harmonica with them, such as Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Adam Again or Loverboy among others. But coming from these two CD, are the kind of blues he plays that can be defined as traditional but at the same time very actual one. “Delta Blues” CD was recorded about thirteen years ago, and he cleverly combines acoustic guitar with amplified harmonica, backed by the amazing Glenn Kaiser on guitar and Rob Glickman. The second one brings Darrel Mansfield’s harmonica and vocals shielded by Eric Turner on guitar, Mitch Ross on drums and Rick Baptista on bass, plus some guest musicians like Raphael Digiordo on keyboards, Jonny Ray Bartel on acoustic and electric bass, Kenny Hale on lead guitar, Larry David Cohen on harp too, Dexter Espinoza on vocals, Josh Schreiber on percussion and Grez Vail on sax. Get ready to enjoy blues, gospel blues and Christian rock blues coming from a fervent believer called Darrel Mansfield. Thanks to him, Jesus comes back among us. Thank you, Lord!
The Blazers Red Hot. Route 2009. Excellent album coming from The Blazers, leaded by the faultless Pete Cohan’s voice, who, as usual, shows amazing vocal conditions. The rest of the band are Josh Gordon on guitar, Andrew Taylor on bass and Chris Craig on drums, You will also find three deluxe guest musicians, organ and piano player David McMorrow, together with two winners of reputed Canadian JUNE Awards, guitar player Jack de Keyzer and singer, harmonica and sax player Al Lerman. All them do a remarkable work that will be greatly appreciated and valued by aficionados. A bright selection of songs, full of a powerful intensity and joy, perfect to dance, on a splendid mixture of the best rock ‘n’ roll, swing, funky, groove and tons of ‘rockin’ rhythm & blues’ is what you will find along the whole cd. The Blazers are a flamboyant explosive band with clear ideas of what they want to do, who are gradually reaching a great popularity among Canadian audience, specially in Toronto area where they basically move and regularly play. Taverns, clubs, pizza-diners, barbecue grills, theatre halls and other venues and festivals are the normal places to find them live showing what they are able to do.
Percy Sledge My Old Friend The Blues. Blues Boulevard 2009. Do you remember that great soul singer who, about forty years ago, impressed audiences with a superb song called “When A Man Loves A Woman”? That’s right, Percy Sledge joins the fray again with a soul/blues album with the suggestive tittle of My Old Friend The Blues. Good arrangements and a careful final production by Saul Davis and Barry Goldberg along fourteen tracks plus the song “Honest As Daylight”, this one with Carla Olson’s and Charles Rook’s production. Besides the faultless musicians who play along the whole CD, you will also find exceptional contributions, such as Carla Olson herself who, as I have just mentioned, produces one of the songs, Paul Jones, Jacob Dylan, Phil Upchurch, Mick Taylor, Ian McLagan, and producer and amazing musician Barry Goldberg. An album that will certainly enthuse the soul and blues lovers. After a long time of silence, Percy Sledge comes back to the recording scene. Let’s hope it will be a definitive comeback
Delta Moon Hellbound Train Blues Boulevard 2009. Here comes a band with a particular intimist style, that has gradually captured the hearts of blues fans around the world, They have gained popularity in Europe during 2008 and 2009, thanks to their successful tours in Skandinavia, Germany and Italy. Among their projects for 2010 they are planning to repeat a tour around the same countries, adding Benelux, France and United Kingdom. The Delta Moon precisely and tastefully develop a southern blues rock style, deeply rooted into Delta sound and tradition. They include cool own songs and other interesting proposals, such as their version of Mississippi Fred McDowell’s “You Got A Move” you will find in this new “Hellbound Train”, besides many other versions they have on their repertoire list, coming from the original songs of old pre-war Mississippi bluesmen. The band members now are Tom Gray on guitar, lap steel and keybords, Mark Johnson on guitar and six string banjo, Franher Joseph on bass and backing vocals and Darren Stanley on drums and percussion. A interesting and really good album.
Kellie Rucker Blues Is Blues Blues Boulevard 2009. Singer and harmonica player Kellie Rucker has given expression to her undeniable innate musical talent, with an enviable creative skill. Gifted with an extreme good taste and a fine sensitivity, her professional career began more than twenty-five years ago. Along these years she has shared stage with such big stars like Dizzy Gillespie, Stephen Stills, Albert Collins, James Cotton, ZZ Top, Little Feat or BB King among many other luminaries. In this fourth album, Kellie displays all her creative potential, thanks to her powerful suggestive and communicative voice and the particular way of her harp blowing, perfectly wrapped by her travelling companions, such as guitar players Jon Butcher (who plays bass too), Alan Mirikintan and J.J. Holiday, bass players Tod Sikafoose, Gerarld Johnson and Keith Karman, drummers Dan Morris, Noel Wilkinson, Gary Mallaber and Michael Barsimanto, keybords players John Gillotin. Kevin McCourt, Marty Grebb and Teddy Andreadus and finally tenor sax player Joe Sublett in one song. An album you will immediately fall in love with, as I always fall in love with this charming woman called Miss Kellie Rucker.
Tino Gonzales Los Reyes del K.O. Funky Tortillas Blues Boulevard Gaztelupeko Hotsak 2009 Funky Tortillas album includes ten incredible songs, five of them leaded by veteran singer and guitar player Tino Gonzalez backed by his most recent habitual musicians. The other five ones come from one of the best Spanish blues bands, Los Reyes del K.O. (in my opinion, perhaps the best one), who has European recognition (since 2005 they have settled in Germany, where they regularly live). Leaded by Marcos Coll on harp and Adrian Costa on guitar and vocals, both have got the mission to keep the basis of the most orthodox blues, always with a cool contemporary conception on approaching and performing them. On his side, Tino Gonzales is a more eclectic actual musician who adds funky, latin and groove rythms to a very personal style deeply influenced by Santana and Peter Green. The result is a CD that combines two completely different conceptions of blues, the avant-garde of blues fusion and the electrifying classicism of fifties Chicago blues with the sound and arrangements of the 21st Centuury. Anyway, both styles perfectly match in this bright superb record, I eagerly recommend to all blues fans.
Modern Roots, No Apologies PWB 2008. Powerful band with five excellent restrained musicians who approach with professionalism and good taste a repertoire made by own songs and versions, done with tons of swing, beat and an impressing groove. The band musicians have nothing to envy to the most popular acclaimed bands or rhythm & blues, soul-blues or neo-soul artist, which are the styles The Modern Roots usually play. Every one of the five band musicians have more than thirty years of experience on their backs, which becomes evident since the first notes on the opening album song. The arrangements and the special way they perform every one of the eleven tracks included are brilliant and superb. The band musicians are Michael ‘Buck’ Bugara on guitar and vocals, Ken Baker on guitar and vocals too, Jeff Alviani on vocals and synthesizers, John Sineri on drums and tambourine and finally Denny Wright on bass. For more than ten years Modern Roots have consolidated as one of the most outstanding blues-soul-jazz bands of Ohio musical scene. From this page I give a big applause to the ambitious project of a band which has a promising future.
Al Cook Pioneer & Legend: 45 Years On Stage Wolf 2009. How much I like Al Cooke! He represents the most pure essence of thirties and forties urban blues. Every blues fan in Europe knows the work and path of this Austrian blues pioneer, who began his musical career at the end of the fifties as a rock and rock artist, to gradually become a real performer of pre and post-war great blues tradition, barrelhouse blues and country blues music. In this new recording for his usual record label Wold Records, Al Cook has gathered twenty one songs recorded between 1993 and 2008, plus one more song entitled “Original Working Man” which belongs to his particular collection, which was recorded in 1965. All songs included are own ones, except Roosevelt Sykes’ “44 Blues” and Robert Johnson’s “Sweet Home Chicago”. Besides singing, Al Cook plays guitar, dobro and piano, and he does it with the mastery knowledge and feeling he has got during his wide career, He is also surrounded by some experienced guest musicians and friends, like Hans Theessink on mandolin, Axel Zwingenberger on piano (one of the best actual boogie-woogie piano players) or the exceptional voices of Karin Daym, Katie Kern, Reverend Frank TT and finally Siggi Farsi in the song “The Birmingham Jam”. The album represents a declaration of principles of a honest musician who has fight with determination along his whole life to carry blues music to the high place it really deserves.