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January 2011 CD Reviews
Suzy Thompson & Del Rey "Hen Party". Hobemian Records 2010. Fourteen faultless wonderful songs, some original ones and the rest vintage ones, such as those coming from Memphis Minnie, these two women play with bright elegance. Del Rey is one of the most sublime modern guitarists who also plays Resonator guitar with an skilful exquisite technique. And she plays ukulele in some ragtime cuts too. Also mention Del Rey is the owner of Hobemian label, where she has recorded till now no less than thirteen excellent albums. In this album she has worked side by side with Suzy Thompson, a woman with an extremely fine-voice and a mastery fiddle technique. Her collaboration in the album "Texas Sheiks" by Geoff Muldaur & Stephen Bruton, was simply priceless. Suzy has recorded two CDs under her own name and she has also recorded with the different bands she regularly works and plays, like Bluegrass Intentions, California Cajun Orchestra, and Any Old Time. Del Rey and Suzy Thompson work together as a duo since the mid-eighties, although they had not been together in a recording studio so far. Fortunately now they have done so, for the pleasure of all fans. "Hen Party" is their first album as a duo. Let’s hope it will not be the last one and the follow on giving us such pearls like this delicious record, where they bring us with faithful respect and love that old style music which unfortunately is gradually being lost as years go passing by. Now both women give it back to us on a plate.
Grady Champion "Back In Mississippi Live" Earwig / BlindRaccoon 2010. Singer, guitarist, harmonica player and song-writer Grady Champion is a complete unknown artist for most fans. It is now a good time to give him recognition with the review of his new job and remind our readers he made his film debut last year 2010 with "Rites Of Springs", filmed in Mississippi, where he was born. Champion appeared into recording blues market in 1998, with his first album"Goin’ Back Home", after being for a long time doing nonstop gigs in different clubs and venues. Shanachie Records noticed his music and they signed a three-year contract, from 1999 to 2001. In this new album recorded for Earwig, Grady displays all his innovative but at the same time very down-home talent, in a fourteen songs collection, with eight own compositions and the rest are versions of Willie Dixon Jimmy Reed, Howlin’ Wolf, BB King, Eddie Cotton Jr. and Curtis Jones. A more than acceptable album, that will leave you a very good impression.
Andy Cohen "Built Right On The Ground" Earwig / BlindRaccoon 2010. Andy Cohen is a master of blues roots. He has devoted all his life to preserve and study old time blues music and this album perfectly reflects his classic traditional style. Gifted with an exquisite sensitivity and taste, Andy gives us a selected varied fifteen songs collection, backed by his acoustic guitar, ‘dulceola’ or piano on Meade Luz Lewis’ "Honky Tonk Train", and even his wife Larkin Bryant plays the mandolin and sings on some tracks. Andy performs with great love, honesty and delivery, songs like "Built Right On The Ground", originally recorded in 1931 by Saint Louis coming musician Teddy Darby, Sam McGee’s "Railroad Blues", the impressive "Cairo Blues" -an eleven bars (not twelve) song made popular in 1929 by Henry Spaulding-, "Soo Cow Soo" well known by Memphis Minnie, a characteristic down-home farm blues, that talks about animals like chickens, rabbits, mules, horses, bees, snakes, cats... or a long list of compositions coming from Jimmie Rodgers, Jelly Roll Morton or Jim Brewer among others. A wonderful album based on blues, songsters, rags, honky-tonk and boogie-woogie. It is a priceless trip to last century twenties and thirties south, driven by a true ‘connoisseur’ like Andy Cohen.
Chris James & Patrick Rynn "Gonna Boogie Anyway" Earwig / BlindRaccoon 2010. Perfect album to recharge one’s batteries, with terrific effective doses of Chicago and Texas blues, given by two amazing musicians such as singer and guitarist Chris James and bass player Patrick Rynn who, together with a bunch of first class musicians, give us a juicy delightful repertoire. The band has included their own material, but they also bring back and revive with passion and skill original songs of Bo Diddley, Jimmy Reed and Robert Lockwood Jr., with an impressing dazzling final result. Both musicians are backed along the CD by the 'piano killers’ David Maxwell and legendary Henry Gray, drummers Sam Lay, Eddie Kobek and Willie "The Touch" Hayes, harmonics players Rob Stone and Bob Corritore, sax players Jonny Viau and Allen Ortiz and finally Jeff Stone as backing guitar, and supporting Chris in two songs "H.M. Stomp" and "Can’t Stand To See You Go". High quality deep blues but, above all, fulfilled with energetic overflowing swing, that will make shake your home foundations when you listen to it.
Rob Stone "Back Around Here" Earwig / BlindRaccoon 2010. This musician is a true ‘killer’ of amplified harmonica and direct heir Little Walter’s school. Rob Stone keeps back in his ear and all Walter’s mastery harmonica tricks, and many others of Chicago school, such as Big Walter Horton, Junior Wells and the two Sonny Boy. As you will immediately realize, his phrasing, technique, attack and tone that are totally amazing, together with a self-confident, intense strong voice. In this album Rob is backed by the ‘crème’ of Chicago blues, like Sam Lay, Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith, David Maxwell, Willie Hayes, Rodney Brown, Aaron Moore, Patrick Rynn, and Chris James. Finally we are facing the album all of us have been waiting for that certainly will not disappoint all fans who buy a copy. "Back Around Here" is one of those classic albums that sounds cool, driven with energy, strength, class and pride by professional musicians who love, feel and respect the most classic orthodox blues and perform it with originality, giving the modern contemporary sound that should require a 21st. Century blues. A sturdy work, done with great skill, that includes a collection of twelve precious stones, eight written by Stone himself, in collaboration with Rynn and James.
Tim Woods "The Blues Sessions" Earwig / BlindRaccoon 2010. An habitual of southwestern Pennsylvania blues circuits is singer and guitarist Tim Woods. This man is a fiery enthusiastic acoustic blues roots fan, but he also loves electric blues. Tim fells comfortable and at ease in both styles, thanks to his good technique and skills. In "The Blues Sessions", Woods focuses on twelve great songs coming from Honeyboy Edwards, Roosevelt Sykes, Willie Dixon, Big Jack Johnson or Howlin’ Wolf among others. Your will find Big Jack Johnson, David 'Honeyboy' Edwards, Bobby Lee Rodgers, John Primer and Eric Noden -this last one on harmonica too- on guitars, as well as other charismatic musicians like Aaron Moore, Allen Batts and Ike Stubblefield on piano, Bob Stroger, Terry 'Big T' Williams and Shannon Hoover on bass or Jeff Sipe, Lee Williams and Kenny 'Beedy Eyes' Smith on drums. Finally mention Joe Craven and Earwig Records owner Michael Frank also contribute in the CD. A delicious traditional blues album recorded in Clarksdale, Atlanta and Chicago.
Various Artists "Bake Sale Vol.5" Great Northern Blues Society 2010. The Great Northern Blues Society of Wisconsin has just released his fifth album, including some of his most representative bands and musicians of blues and rock-blues. Twenty different artists together in a genuine and great ‘party’, where everybody has his special role and outstanding time. The producer of this bluesy event is Ron Hoerter, who has selected a sample of twenty unforgettable. I will give you the complete list of everyone participating in the compilation, so if any of them comes to play in your area, do not miss him, because all of them are highly recommended artists and certainly will leave a pleasant memory in your minds. So, here are the band names: Meantooth Grin, Clovis Mann, Michael Murphy & The Mob, Aaron Williams & the Hoodoo, Cadillac Pete & The Heat, The Charles Walker Band, The Nitecaps, Deep Water Reunion, Pat McDonald, Hounds Tooth Perry Weber & The Devilles, The Delta Jets, The PlayGround Of Sound, South End Blues Band, Queenie & The Blue Cats, Jimmy Voegeli, Jerry Henry Band, Doug Kroening and Sue DaBaco & Wise Fools. My fellows, welcome to the party!!
Shawn Pittman with The Moeller Bros "Triple Troubles". Feelin’ Good 2010. Texas singer and guitarist Shawn Pittman has just come back with the support of Tano Ro to recording studios, to bring us fifteen sharp shocking, wild and heartbreaking songs, performed with his usual energy and impacts of adrenaline guitar riffs, with the habitual steady hand and straight performing this contemporary Texas blues artist stores up, together with deep influences of Jimmie Vaughan, Junior Watson and other white performers of this blues style. In this new album, Pittman is backed by a bunch of great experts and Texas school colleagues, such as Moeller brothers, who give their experience to round up a complete excellent work. The CD was recorded in May 2010 at Fort Horton studies in Austin, Texas and it is an splendid showcase of Shawn’s usual repertoire. Shuffles, rockin’ grooves or slow blues come in a calm wrapping atmosphere and perfectly displayed by all musicians involved.
Daddy Mack Blues Band "Bluesfinger" Inside Sounds 2010. Voices of mastery blues knower's have risen to say singer and guitarist Daddy Mack is a treasure, a Memphis jewel and, possibly, they are right. Daddy Mack and his band have recently done a new album for Inside Sounds, the fourth in their career. Mack immediately calls listeners’ attention with his riffs and melodic restrained raw guitar solos, in the path of Albert King, while exotic charismatic voice will deeply catch you. An excellent album full of great southern soul and blues, with Stax sound influences in songs like "Bluesfinger" (an adaptation of the old "Soul Finger" Bar-Kays hit) or "Soda Pop", a blues that follows the path of Albert King songs, written by Inside Sounds label owner, Daddy Mack Daddy performs with an extreme taste and feeling. Mack is backed by his faithful fellow-partners, James and Harold Bonner brothers on guitar and bass and finally William Faulkner on drums.
Jimmy Dawkins "The Leric Story" Delmark 2010. An exciting collection of rare recordings of singer and guitarist Jimmy Dawkins, gathered from various EP's he recorded in the eighties for his own label Leric Records. Thanks to Delmark Records this new release will certainly satisfy both rarities collectors and fans of this outstanding example of Chicago West Side blues sound, he was a pioneer with Magic Sam, Otis Rush and Mighty Joe Young to only name three of the most historic representative musicians. Sixteen songs complete this delicious album, some of them previously unreleased. Your will find different bands led by musicians such as Little Johnny Christian who sings in four songs, Tail Dragger, who also sings in two cuts, Kelly Vance, on guitar and vocals in three cuts, Nora Jean on vocals in a couple of songs. Big Mojo Elem sings and plays bass in the song "Special Kind Of Love", as well as bass player, singer and professional hairdresser, Queen Sylvia Embry, who deals with her special charisma two Jimmy Dawkins’ own songs. Finally, Sister Margo’s gospel group closes this interesting album. A good, a very good record, to enjoy it many, many times.
Elvin Bishop "Red Dog Speaks" Delta Groove 2010. Here comes one of the most experienced blues guitar-players, with a long musical history behind him and many stories to tell. Some of these stories can be heard on this last job, one of the best so far in Elvin Bishop’s long and wide career. As in its previous record for Delta Groove, Elvin has recruited a bunch of first-class musicians. This time he has selected John Nemeth harmonica and vocals, Roy Gaines guitar and vocals, Tommy Castro guitar, Ronnie Baker Brooks guitar and vocals, Buckwheat Zydeco accordion, Kid Andersen guitar, Mike Schermer rhythm guitar, Bob Welsh piano, Ruth Davies bass, June Core and Bobby Cochrane drums, together with some other musicians. The album includes eleven magnificent blues jewels in different aspects. A highly recommended job, intense, passionate, wild, vibrant, dynamic, surprising, unique, complete... An album that becomes very short for classic blues fans like me, so that is the reason why we are eagerly awaiting for Mr. Elvin Bishop’s next album.
Solomon King "Under The Sun" Blue Skunk Music 2010. I must admit that this guy has the makings of musician and he is destined to become one of the great innovators, as well as perpetuators of California West Coast blues. King Solomon makes himself up in every song included in this wonderful "Under The Sun". Solomon is an expert, enthusiastic artist gifted with an exquisite taste as blues song-writer, singer and player. Ten superb songs with a magnificent sound, that will greatly impress you since the first notes of the opening album song. King carefully and lovely cooks with his blues-based repertoire, but he also adds different elements of soul, funk, gospel, rhythm & blues and roots rock music. On this album he sings, plays guitar and also relies on musicians with a very high technical level, such as Ray Parker Jr. guitar (Ghost Busters), Ollie Brown drums (Stevie Wonder), Reggie McBride bass (Keb Mo, Ricki Lee Jones) or arranger, producer and keyboard player Sylvester Rivers. You will also find some other musicians involved who contribute and help to round off a superb work.
Marc Benno "I Got It Bad!" Blue Skunk Music 2010. Powerful and compact album by singer and guitar-player Marc Benno. The CD will fill the lungs with deep blue's air, together with some rock and rhythm and blues drops, all wrapped up with the classic scent of the bands which practice Texas sound, a delicious scent that will poison your senses with a subtle intensity. After four years of a successful recording career, Marc Benno brings us his new proposal, where blues takes the main role, along ten Benno’s own songs. For this "I Got It Bad!", this veteran musician and composer has count on the valuable help of The West Side Horns section, which give high personality and experience to the songs they play. In short words, an effective rolling Texas hard rockin’ blues, that which put you back in the middle of the week.
Foghat "Last Train Home" Foghat Records 2010. English Foghat band come back rwith an album full of exciting good blues, they really know how to cook it, with big doses of Southern rock influences. Foghat have developed a unique special and original sound, they have played along decades, which has been a deep influence to other bands on both sides of the Atlantic. The story began at the end of the sixties, when Roger Earl and the late Lonesome Dave Peverett did their first tour around USA as Savoy Brown members, together with charismatic Kim Simmonds. Since then on they became legendary names and this CD is the most real lively real trace they have left over the years behind them. Twelve amazing, passionate, energetic and wild blues, that will get gooseflesh, with Chris Youlden’s or Foghat’s own songs, together with ‘covers’ of Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Otis Rush and others. You will also find as guest musician 87 years old singer and guitarist Eddie Kirkland in a couple of own songs.
Arsen Shomakhov "On The Move" Blues Leaf 2010. Another well received splendid blues album, by a singer, guitarist and song-writer who was completely unknown to me until now who, in my personal opinion, has a good promising future in front of him if he carries on. Arsen Shomakhov is one of the best promising artists I have recently found and his work for Blues Leaf has not a single bad track on it. Eleven joyful bright blues, full of excellent West Coast swing, funk and groove, together with shuffles in a variety of tempos and rhythms, including Arabic and hypnotic sounds like in the song "Sweeter Than Honey." Half of the songs included are Arsen’s own ones and the rest come from Jimmy McCracklin, Eddie Burns or Fito de la Parra and Larry Taylor among others. Remarkable final production, instrumental arrangements and mixtures, as well as all musicians involved in this excellent recording. An album that should not go unnoticed to all good fans. Pay attention to Arsen Shomakhov. He has many things to say in the next future.
Albert Castiglia "Keepin‘ On" Blues Leaf 2010. On the whole, "Keepin On’ " showcases just how dynamic and versatile this young performer is. Albert, not only is an excellent master of both the electric and acoustic guitar, but slide as well. Pair his outstanding guitar playing with a voice both soulful and gritty, and you end up with a searing, high-energy performance journey transcending most musical tastes. Talk about versatility! . The CD is a mix of five original tunes as well as covers from Mack Rice, Bob Dylan, T-Bone Walker, Jack Fickel, Peter Green, Robert Nighthawk and John Lee Hooker. It features seasoned session players Bill "Mighty" Quinn on B-3 & Piano and Toby Walker on the Dobro, percussionist Emedin Rivera, and stable-mate Nicole Hart on Background Vocals. A "second to none" rhythm section is comprised of A.J. Kelly on bass, and Bobby Amsel on drums. These guys are tighter than tight. The two complement Albert's unique style, and seem to effortlessly get into that most-perfect "groove", song after song. Albert opens up with a high-powered "Cadillac Assembly Line", penned by Sir Mack Rice (the guy who wrote "Mustang Sally", the bane of jam hosts everywhere), which only serves to make the listener ask for more, more, more. Mr. Castiglia picks up his acoustic guitar to do his original tune, "Sweet Southern Angel" with it's "Ridin‘ the blinds" feel and Robert Nighthawk's soulful delta composition, "Murderin’ Blues". On these two tunes he enlists the help of Toby Walker's awesome dobro playing. Original tunes, "Keep On, Keepin’ On", (the title cut) has a driving vibrato and imbues a very topical message, and the very apropos closer, "Closing Time" has Albert's masterful guitar playing, start out mournfully slow, and then rams it into overdrive. Whether you like "sittin' on the back porch" acoustic Blues, or more urban, seething electrically charged Blues, you'll find both on this CD, and more! Both hardcore Blues addicts and younger Blues-rockers, will enjoy this CD. (review by Bob "Bluesbobby" Weinberg).