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May 2011 CD Reviews
Biscuit Miller "Blues With A Smile" Self Production 2010. High caliber fluent singer and bass player, besides a great entertainer gifted with good technical basis. After more than twenty years of experience in countless stages both in USA and Europe, now Biscuit Miller brings us the pleasure to enjoy the second album of his career. "Blues With A Smile" includes a collection of twelve exciting catching songs, suggestive as a clear spring morning. Miller shows great charisma, while transmitting honesty, passion and conviction that underlines everything said before. The different musicians who appear along the album give a fantastic enjoyable contribution and enthusiastically and eagerly help to deliver the project to a remarlable quality. A rewarding album done by a bass player who performs blues emphasizing and stressing it with a funky groove accent and music lines.
Adam Gussow"Kick And Stomp" Self Production 2010. Sterling ‘Mr. Satan’ Magee old fellow, harmonica player Adam Gussow drives us closer in this album to his particular blues world, with a piece of work full of lively colours but sometimes crude and perverse too. Fourteen tracks where harmonica, voice and percussive feet beating are the greatest exponents and absolute stars in these songs, songs that reflect the most genuine down-home blues. The album was recorded at The Tone Room studios in Oxford, Mississippi. Adam performs with passion and strong feeling his own songs together with covers of Memphis Slim, RL Burnside and Robert Johnson among others. A real &lstour de force&rs with himself is what gives us in the CD this excellent harmonica player, thanks to his expressive power, deep tone, great phrasing and a showy, clean and tasteful technique he brings out of his Hohner harmonicas.
Chris Antonik "Chris Antonik" Self Production 2010. Amazing debut of this exquisite artist called Chris Antonik, a guitar player with a good technical basis, besides a fierce determined conviction. The album shows a mature well-tempered blues musician, both in terms of his guitar playing and howe he writes his own songs. The album presents a solid varied collection of blues that will surprise most good fans. Chris’ guitar blends with excellent taste with the cool vital touch of singer, organ and keyboards player Josh Williams (with a very close tone to Luther Allison’s one), who becomes the best counterpoint to make all songs shine at a very high level. They are backed by Andrew Taylor (The Blazers) on bass and Chris Chiarelli on drums, who provide an excellent rhythm section and a high dynamic first class &lsgroovin&rs-funky-rock&rs style. You will also find some guest top musicians in the Canadian blues circuit, such as harmonica player Mark &lsBird&rs Stafford or other excellent horn players, like Richard Underhill, Perry White, William Sperandei or Brian Prince.
Studebaker John’s Maxwell Street Kings "That’s The Way You Do" Delmark 2010. Studebaker John and his musicians come back again, this time with a CD recorded for Delmark Records in Chicago. An effective powerful amazing house-rockin’ blues album, only a trio with Studebaker John on vocals, slide guitar and harmonica, Rick Kreher on guitar and backing vocals and prestigious well-known drummer Steve Cushing, could have done. Valuable blues music, performed and produced with great talent and energy, together with a cool atmosphere and true credibility. Genuine rocky, passionate flaming sound, like that West Side blues John normally listened when he used to walk around the Maxwell Street Marquet area many years ago. Ffteen Stdebaker’s own songs, who has filled himself with the electrifying spirit of Hound Dog Taylor, JB Hutto, Robert Nighthawk, Big John Wrencher, Johnny Young, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. A joyful album, not to be missed.
James Kinds "Love You From The Top" Delmark 2010. When James Kinds appeared at 2007 Chicago Blues Festival, playing tpgether with West Side veterans like Vernon & Joe Harrington, people from Delmark Records were impressed by his singing and guitar playing. His vocal style covers a wide range that goes from soul-blues to gospel and rhythm and blues. James approaches all these styles with great power and sensitivity, depending on the intention of the songs he performs, breaking several times with the existing rules, always under the premise of innate original talent along the fifteen songs included on this priceless album. The musicians involved in the recording are Claude L. Thomas on drums, Anthony Dotson on bass, Al Pool’s guitar, heard through the left channel, while James Kind’s guitar sounds in the right channel and Eddie Shaw on tenor sax on four songs. Really amazing!!
Magic Slim & The Teardrops "Midnight Blues" Blind Pig / Karonte 2008. Second to last album from one of the greatest representants of rough crushing house rockin’ sound stark and insistent sound. If you ask any Chicago blues community fan who is now the king of house rockin’ blues, the answer will undoubtedly be Magic Slim. Today he is an admired respected venerated artist as a true genuine national treasure, one of the few living representants of the tradition of true bluesmen who still remain active. The album shows how a seventy years man with more than fifty years with the blues on his back, is still able to have an overflowing energy and great commitment, from the onle and only passion in life: to play blues!. Once again Slim captivates us with this bright example of maturity and passion, leading his Teardrops and including exceptional guests musicians in the CD, such as James Cotton, Little Ed, Lonnie Brooks, Otis Clay or Elvin Bishop, among others. An album that should not be overlooked.
Roy Rogers "Split Decision" Blind Pig / Karonte 2009. It is said after the calm comes the storm and according what can be found in the new work of singer, songwriter and guitarist Roy Rogers, these words are true. Roy Rogers comes back to thrill audiences with an spectacular album under his arm. "Split Decision" is a real bomb, that includes twelve straight effective and powerful songs, tht will hit listener hearts with songs like "Patron Saint Of Pain", "Little Queen Bee", "Bitter Rain" "Someone Like You" and the rest of CD songs. Fans will rediscover a different Roy Rogers from his previous albums, although he does not forget any of his permanent influences like 'roots music', 'groove', 'heavy shuffle' or 'low down dirty blues’. All these music combinations are tastefully and cleverly reflected on the CD, thanks to the shrewd intelligent way Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings mix them, together with some guests musicians also involved in this "Split Decision".
Coco Montoya "The Essential" Blind Pig / Karonte 2010. Coco Montoya effectively leads and commands with his voice and his Stratocaster this secular job, with a CD released for Blind Pig Records, that includes some of the best works he has recorded for the same label. To be precise the twelve songs that have been included on this compilation belong to "Just Let Go", "Gotta Mind To Travel" and "Ya Think I'd Know Better" albums. The song selection has been done with wisdom and good criteria by Montoya himself. This album may well serve as a reference for general audiences who are not too familiar with this rock-blues musician who, before playing guitar with venerables Albert Collins and John Mayall had been an excellent dreamer of amazing technique.
John Németh "Name The Day!" Blind Pig / Karonte 2010. A pleasure for mind and ears is the new work of great singer and harmonica player John Nemeth, who takes a happy unaffected lively walk around several facets of soul music, an style Németh knows without limitations. Fans of Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Otis Redding, Solomon Burke and Percy Sledge will totally enjoy an album full of references to rhythm and blues, soul and blues in the path of Bobby 'Blue' Bland and BB King, but also to the most genuine Chicago blues (just listen to "Heartbreak With A Hammer" shuffle). Final production, management, vocal, horn and instrumental arrangements are impressive. A juicy joyful holiday with incredible bright moments that will remain in your mind for a long, very long time.
Lynwood Slim And The Igor Prado Band "Brazilian Kicks" Delta Groove 2010. Without the name of Lynwood Slim’s name, actual West Coast sound would not be the same. Singer and harmonica player Lynwood Slim is one its top representants. For a long time Lynwood has been playing the most genuine unaffected contemporary jump blues you can imagine and in the last years he has added to his repertoire subtle funk and Caribbean rhythms. In this new release, Slim sings, plays harmonica and flute, and has also joined forces with the band of singer and Brazilian guitarist Igor Prado, which gives as a result a cool joyful danceable album, but over all surprising and passionate, thanks to a roots music cocktail, that combines blues, smooth jazz, swing and a good dose of jump. Thirteen bright passionate intense songs that overflow a very special feeling. Try for yourself, I'm sure you will not be disappointed, Zumel swears by it!
Dave Specter "Spectified" FRET 12 2010. Any new project guitar player Dave Specter launches, is always welcomed, because Dave is an artist gifted with an special innate talent, besides a guitarist of great technique, with a big fat tone and a bright well balanced sound, with melodic tasteful lines that always have something new to say and. That's why his riffs and music phrasing surprise us in every one of the thirteen songs included in the album. "Spectified" is an instrumental album that basically relies on the spectacular guitar work and warm grooves of Brother John Kattke’s organ and piano work, which makes the ideal counterpoint to end on a faultless final work. Naturally this would not have been possible without the complicity of his usual bass player Harlan Terson, drummer Greg Wyser-Pratte and The Bo' Weavil Brass horn section.
Brother John "Live At Legends" Self Production 2010. Splendid magnificent album by a recognized well valued player in Chicago blues circles, who can often be seen playing, either leading his own band or as sideman in other Windy City blues musicians and bands. Besides producing this work, Brother John Kattke sings, plays guitar, piano and organ with an elegant taste and good disposition. The album was recorded live at Buddy Guy's club, Legends, and Buddy Guy himself sings as special guest in Muddy Waters ’ classic, "She's 19 Years Old". Together with Brother John you will find Marty Binder on drums, Paul Streff on bass, Doug Corcoran on trumpet, Will Arisman tenor and baritone sax, Marqueal Jordan on tenor sax and vocals, and his brother Kattke Buffie in sax too. A varied album whith blues, jazz, funk, soul and a sober elegant groove touch.
The Homemade Jamz Blues Band "The Game" Self Production 2010. Third album in the career of these young musicians, who bring us their unique, sweet, warm and electrified Delta roots blues. The old school porch-blues fuses with excellent cleverly taste to the actual sounds of XXI Century. Some people describe The Homemade Jamz Blues Band music with adjectives like head-bobbin 'neck-jerkin', toe tapping or foot-stompin' blues rhythm and they are all right, because what you will find all these blues styles on the album played with exquisite taste. Despite the youth of the musicians, they have toured around USA, Europe, Canada, some Caribbean islands and have also participated in the Legendary Blues Cruise. In the few years of life, The Homemade Jamz Blues Band have won some prizes and have been nominated in different competitions. For this album they have also included Renaud Perry on harmonica, who contributes to magnify the trio expressive power.
Reverend Raven And The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys "Shake Your Boogie" Nevermore 2010. Since I discovered Reverend Raven some years ago, I have been following him to the extent of my possibilities and I have to admit I am a big fan of his voice, his music and his guitar. Raven was born in Chicago south side and since 1971 he has been performing blues, sharing the stage and recording with musicians like Madison Slim (he also works on the album), Billy Flynn, Bryan Lee, Piano Willie or Jon Paris among others. His passion for this kind of music came when he saw Freddy King playing at the Kinetic Theatre in Chicago. Since that moment, he fell into a deep mad love for that kind of music he has not get out until now. Thirteen blues on an intense, deep and rough album that will make your hair stand on end, including Raven’s own songs, along with versions of Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Milton, Hound Dog Taylor or Robert Nighthawk among others. Straigth electric, you should take into account.
Jay Willie Blues Band "The Real Deal" Blues Boulevard 2010. The Willie Jay Blues Band is a group based in New England area, where for more than ten years, you can regularly see them performing in bars, clubs and festivals. The band includes Jay Wille on guitar, slide and harmonica, Robert Callahan on guitar and vocals, Tommy Shannon on bass and Bobby T. Torello on drums. As you may see they are musicians of great personality, very close to Johnny Winter and Stevie Ray Vaughan they worked with them for many years. With such training and experience, it is not surprising they have an intense rocky modern and versatile sound. 100 x 100 Texas blues rock album, with the band musicians own songs, where you will also find clear references to Muddy Waters, Roy Buchanan, Ry Cooder, SRV, Johnny Winter, BB King and Ry Cooder. Give you a present and buy a CD copy.
Stevie Cochran "The Next Stage" Blues Boulevard 2010. Another dose of exciting powerful rock-blues by a powerful brilliant well pitched vocalist, besides an incisive creative guitar player, gifted with an exuberant vitality and a punchy expressive power. Stevie Cochran learned to play guitar in 1966, when he was only eight years old. As time went passing by, he learned all the instrument tricks and secrets, so most of them can be found in this album. Despite coming from a jazz fan family, he was caught by the rock-blues onslaught that invaded British music during the sixties, so he found his inspiration in Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and, later on, Gary Moore’s music. Forteen songs that reflect the content and formal expression of his own style, an style that emphasizes with his guitar solos, his life experiences always in constant evolution.
Zed Head "Mortal Man" Blues Boulevard 2010. No doubt these musicians worship especially like southern rock-blues, in the path of ZZ Top, not only for their look and physical apperance, quite similar to ZZ Top, but also by the conception and sound of the music they perform, which is nothing than pure Texas-rock-boogie. The Zed Head are three Canadian musicians, Neil Chapman, songwriter, guitarist and vocals, Fog Johnny Burkitt bass, vocals and tambourine and Smilin' Bob Adams, who plays harmonica in some of the songs included. You will also find four drummers and percussionists, Terry Martell, Chris Lingard, Tony Nolasco and Frank Zieger, guitar player Trevor Horsfall in three cuts and Bill King on keyboards in a couple of issues. The Head Zed catch along the fourteen CD songs, all the spirit, magic and essence of the 'built for comfort'. As they say, this is an album of 'kick ass classic blues riff rock". A perfect CD to listen calmly at home drinking a glass of bourbon with ice.
The Delta Flyers "Sixteen Bars" Soulbilly / BlindRaccoon 2010. Attractive catchy band, with an ease music ti be savoured with voracious hunger. The group includes Stevie DuPree harmonica, percussion, voice and vocal harmonies, Travis Stephenson, guitars (slide, resonator, acoustic and electric ones) and vocal harmonies, Jack Saunders, acoustic bass, resophonic guitar, percussion and vocal harmonies, Rick Richards, drums and Rich DelGroso mandolin. The album gathers ten original songs, written by singer and harmonica player Stevie DuPree, seven of them in collaboration with guitarist Travis Stephenson. A handful of delicious songs, that can even arise interest among people who are not too familiar to the blues, presenting an excellent music that could be described as "rollicking blues-fueled country ho-down", played with taste, honesty and solid musical basis. I invite you to travel with The Delta Flyers and discover a rich diverse repertoire based on Delta blues, country, gospel, blues, Chicago shuffle, shuffling boogie, soulful blues and many other pleasant surprises.
Tas Cru "Jus’ Desserts" Crustee Tees / Blind Raccoon 2010. It’s a great pleasure every time I see published a new Tas Cru album. Tas is a friendly free-and-easy fellow, as well as a great singer, guitar player and song writer. His lyrics and stories are pleasant, witty and fun, always with something new to say but, over all, full of rich and varied nuances to be discovered along the CD. Tas Cru is a vocational true story-teller who gives us like a school teacher, lessons about daily life, sometimes funny sometimes bitter and cruel as life can be, because many things can be found if you listen to his message carefully. Eleven musically rich and varied cuts, with the blues starting as thread, all efficiently and tastefully displayed by a bunch of able well teamed musicians. Tas Cru leads the project with vocals, guitar and harmonica, while Chip Lamson is on organ and piano, Andy Hearn on drums and Mike Lawrence on electric and double bass, plus guest musicians Jeremy Walz slide guitar, Meaghan Janovsky backing vocals and Sue Grimm accordion in one cut. Enjoy this CD as I have already done.