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January 2010 CD Reviews
Various Artists Annual Delta Groove All-Star Blues Revue – Live At The Ground Zero Vol. 1 & 2 Delta Groove 2009. Two marvelous flawless CDs, good… better… great… Too much!! Delta Groove has put recording blues scene upside down with these two brilliant albums… brilliant music, brilliant artists, brilliant magic atmosphere that wraps every song included in both cds. A faultless selection specially devoted to jump, Texas blues and West Coast rhythm & blues lovers. Both cds are rich and juicy, full of different nuances and beautiful details, a lot of swing, magic, feeling and many, many groove. They are two essential cds for the most inveterate blues lovers but also for the new coming ones, where they will discover a valuable introduction to the blues musical scene and an open window to this musical genre. “Live At Ground Zero Vol. 1 & 2” invites us to a marvelous journey guided by the ‘cream’ of actual blues musicians who have reached a high consideration in the blues world. Look at the names and groups who appear along the twenty-one songs included on both cds: The Insomniacs, The Mannish Boys, Phillip Walker, Finis Tasby, Johnny Dyer, Junior Watson, Kirk ‘Eli’ Fletcher, Jackie Payne, Steve Edmonson Band, Mike Zito, Jason Ricci & New Blood, Kid Ramos, Paris Slim, Los Fabulous, Bobby Jones, Randy Chortkoff, Jesús Cuevas… as you can see, musicians and bands to satisfy all blues tastes, so… can we ask for more paying not so much money?… will you let it pass up?… My advice, please run and get a copy, because they are a couple of the best blues records recently published. I dare say you will enjoy them as a child with a new toy.
Various Artists Blues Before Sunrise Vol.1 Delmark 1997/2009. Steve Cushing is a drummer settled in Chicago who, for about thirty years, also hosts at public WBEZ radio station, this legendary blues show ‘Blues Before Sunrise’. The show can be also heard along Illinois and the whole country via satellite and, if I am not wrong, it has recently changed its timetable and now is on air every Saturday night from midnight to Sunday 5,00 am repeated again on Sunday mornings. ‘Blues Before Sunrise’ basically broadcasts blues, but you can also find jive, jump, rhythm & blues, gospel, swing, comedy, doo-woop and even a little bit of poetry. But coming back to the cd, say it has been published by Delmark Records and represents a real treasure of thirteen splendid live recorded songs by four bands leaded by four traditional genuine Chicago blues aces. Singers and harmonica players Big Wheeler and Billy Boy Arnold and guitarist and vocalists John Brim and Jimmy Burns, together with Steve Cushing himself backing Wheeler and Brim and doing cd final production too. The album gathers the original real post-war blues spirit, passionate, vitality and energetic, performed along the years at Chicago South Side scenes.
Charlie Wood Flutter And Wow Archer 2009. Charlie Wood is a clever first class artist, besides an skilful musician, which becomes evident on this new album. Gifted with a deep knowledge of Americana roots music and a fine piano a vocal technique, Charlie brings us twelve songs where he combines piano, Wurlitzer, Hammond organ and clavier in eight own songs and the rest versions of Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits or Leonard Cohen songs that in his hands become something new, personal and original, pure nectar for the most refined palates. Charlie Wood is surrounded in this new cd by some first class Memphis scene veteran musicians like Adam Levy, Tom Leonardo, Sam Shoup or his good friend Billy Gibson, together with an explosive and perfectly matched horn section with Jim Spake, Kirk Smothers, Marc Franklin and Howard Lamb on a couple of songs. The result is really bright, unpretentious but with an extreme good taste. Besides, the recording sound faithfully reflects the great feeling and passionate atmosphere of those recording sessions which were directed and produced by Norah Jones and guitar player Adam Levy that as I have just said, were carefully done. GREAT
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats In Twisted Alligator 2009. After his excellent solo album including seventeen songs of pure and orthodox Chicago vintage blues, singer and harmonica player Rick Estrin comes back with another excellent sample of his bright talent and fine technique that perfectly shows his stylistic skills as song-writer, this time with a selection of fourteen songs of remarkable wild jump, blues and swing. “In Twisted” is the perfect example of the king of albums Rick usually does, not only for the music included but also for his sense of humor, present in all his song lyrics. In this cd Estrin has a brand new band, because after his musical separation of his right-hand man, guitarist ‘Little’ Charlie Baty, he has completely changed his band musicians. So, you will find Chris ‘Kid’ Anderson on guitar, Lorenzo Farrell on bass and j. Hansen on drums and percussion plus the additional collaboration of Bob Welsh on piano. Estrin leads this new musical adventure, giving an intense but at the same time cool feeling, acting as master of ceremonies of this new project he is involved with. Let’s hope it will be a long successful one for the pleasure of blues lovers.
Motor City Woman & Detroit Express Ready Fordco Music 2009. This CD gathers in fourteen songs coming from some of the best female Detroit vocal artists. Six rich expressive singers with an unbelievable tone who perform with warm passion a varied range of different musical styles, from funk to rock, blues and other similar ones, on a complete walk along Americana roots music. Our six divas alternate the leading role along the songs included on the cd. While one of them sings the main parts, the five other ones support her with vocal harmonies and chorus, getting delicious nuances and wonderful textures. The names of these six women are: Lady T., Elena Papillo, Aja Sardis, Stacia Petrie Ford, Valerie Barrymore and Cheryl Lescom, all of them form this splendid group called Motor City Woman. The responsible person of this project has been singer, guitar player and producer Motor City Josh, a blues lover who has made possible this wonderful experience who also includes his guitar in the cd. Tons of groove and swing by these six heaven sent angels to Detroit city. Don’t let them pass away!
Louisiana Red & Little Victor’s Juke Joint Back To The Black Bayou Bluestown / Ruf / Dial Discos 2009. Restrained, reliable and well done Louisiana Red’s new album, where he gives the best of himself and once again shows he is a real bluesman who feels the blues deep inside his heart, because blues has been his complete life since he was a child. All contributions of guest musicians you will find along “Back To The Black Bayou” are really unbeatable, concise and go direct to your soul. An special mention to Bob Corritore’s and great Kim Wilson’s harmonica contributions, but also the good work of piano players Reidar Larsen and specially Dave Maxwell. The band musicians who back Red are Little Victor on guitar and harp, Robert Alexander Pettersen on drums and William ‘Bill’ Troiani on acoustic bass. Twelve faultless songs of the most genuine Iverson Minter (Louisiana Red) blues form this solid rough cd that in my opinion, is one of the best ones of the huge discography of our likable Louisiana Red, a true blues giant. Superb!
Patrick Vining Band Atlanta Boogie Blue Edge / Blues Boulevard 2009. Deep convincing singer, Patrick Vining gives us in his hew cd a more than good and respectful music based on jump, New Orleans rhythm & blues, swing, blues and rockin’ boogie, all songs Vining and Bourne own ones. Patrick and his band combine all these musical styles with an extreme good taste and class, firmly based on the sound of forties, fifties and beginning of the sixties bands. The result is a cd with ten dancing joyful and catchy tracks with a powerful but at the same time soft groove. All musicians included on the album have an straight outstanding cool beat that immediately attracts and catches listeners and makes them feel happy enough to move their feet with he effective infectious rhythm of the music they play. The bright Patrick Vining voice stands out along the whole cd but you will also find the effective Mike Bourne’s guitar, Mookie Brill’s bass, Pete Maier’s drums and percussion and finally Matt Wauchope’s organ and piano playing. An honest album that deserves your attention and respect because I am sure it will convince most of you.
Candye Kane Superhero Delta Groove 2009. It is wonderful to enjoy voice and magic of this charming singer and song-writer, who has also co-produced her new CD. Not long ago she gave a real fright to those of us who for a long time have been following her with love and admiration. Fortunately she is back again to give us joy with her fantastic presence on stage and the music she brings on her new cd with a non-stop magic and amazing strength. Kane is backed by three effective and professional musicians who are Laura Chávez on guitars, Paul Loranger on bass and Evan Caleb on drums, but she has also included a deluxe list of guest musicians such as Mitch Kashmar on harp or Kid Ramos on guitar, to only mention two of the most outstanding names among blues lovers. Fifteen well built and varied songs with a high quality performing gathered in more than fifty electrifying minutes of wild blues, swing and rhythm & blues, that become the most fine and elegant ones, in short words, the BEST ones you can imagine. Welcome then to the super-heroine of the most convincing passionate blues, Miss Candye Kane, who still has many thing to say. Personally speaking I think she is now enjoying the best moment of her musical career. Kisses for you, baby!!
Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers Blues Quartet Soul Monster Delta Groove 2009. Here comes the last work of one of the most respected and admired harmonica virtuosos of the last forty years, not only by blues fans but also by harmonica lovers. As usual the mastery talent of this singer, harp player and song-writer becomes evident along more than fifty minutes with bright rolling combinations of chromatic and diatonic harmonica performed with a convincing passion but at the same time with a subtle elegance, thanks to Rod’s huge knowledge and technique, together with a particular sound with an instinctive preeminence, big fat tone, authoritarian control and other subtle resources who, along the years, have made him become an icon of the harmonica players, like are other mythic names such as Kim Wilson, Sugar Ray, Paul Butterfield, William Clarke, James Harman, Rick Estrin, Mark Hummel or Charlie Musselwhite to only mention the best white representatives, besides being also honoured with many awards and public recognitions. In short words, pure swing on a tasteful clear mixture of his sophisticated characteristic West Coast sound with the most traditional Chicago blues (“Key To The Highway”, “You Better Watch Yourself”). What more can I say? I really love it and this is enough to me.
Billy Boy Arnold, John Primer, Billy Branch & Lurrie Bell Chicago Blues: A Living History. Raisin’ Music / Karonte 2009. Here comes a deluxe CDS. An immensely terrific exercise of CHICAGO BLUES in capital letters. The super band includes two generations of great musicians and blues icons, all them representing the most traditional, genuine and vitality Windy City sound. Four of the most outstanding blues artists lead the band, Billy Boy Arnold and Billy Branch on vocals and harp and John Primer and Lurrie Bell on vocals and guitars, who take turns in the main role along the twenty one splendid tracks that form both cds. They are backed by The Living History Band with Billy Flynn on guitar, Matthew Skoller on harp (probably recommended by his brother Larry Skoller who is the father and producer of the whole project because, if not, what was he doing there?), Johnny Iguana on keyboards, Felton Crews on bass and Kenny Smith on drums and bright guest stars Carlos Johnson and Mike Avery.
Both CDs are a chronological walk along urban Chicago blues. The first one includes ten songs of the period between 1940 and 1955 and covers from John Lee Sonny Boy Williamson, Tampa Red, Big Bill Broonzy, Big Maceo, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Howlin’ Wolf, Lowell Fulson, Memphis Slim and Little Walter. The second one includes eleven tracks from 1955 till now written by Mel London, Jimmy Reed, Billy Boy Arnold, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Willie Dixon, Junior Wells, Earl Hooker, Magic Sam, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and Buddy Guy. Th cd becomes an unbelievable master class, a superb journey to visit the time, places and artists which made the history of this musical genre we so deeply love and has caught us since the first moment we discovered it and we will certainly not get out of it for the rest of our lives. Lord, Have Mercy!!
Shawn Kellerman Blues Without A Home Flamingcheese 2009. Good element this devilish Canadian musician, wild singer, song-writer and powerful guitarist called Shawn Kellerman!. He feels good staying between the most contemporary actual blues and the most orthodox traditional one. Kellerman takes the roots into account, combining with an extreme good taste classicism with avant-garde on an elegant energetic twist that makes him different, original and really interesting in the competitive actual record market. In this new work Shawn Kellerman is backed by a deluxe band where we can mention the good work of Jason Ricci on harp and specially Lucky Peterson on organ, who gives his special stamp and the perfect support to the whole excellent sound that prevails along more than one hour of bright great blues. “Blues Without A Home” is a creative overjoying cd where the magic of blues flows with an amazing taste and cleverness thanks to the good work of all musicians who play along the whole cd.
JP Cervoni Blues And Beyond Band Self Production 2009. Born in Italy, JP was encouraged by his parents since he was a child to become interested about music. Aged twelve he began to play keyboards but soon he devoted himself to guitar, after listening to some rock bands. His first influences were Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Cream and, over all, Jimi Hendrix. Although he was playing in some rock bands he did not left his musical studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada, One night he was at the backstage of a show and he met Buddy Miles himself, who was really impressed when he saw the amazing guitar playing of such a young kid, that he decided to invite him the following night to play together in an unbelievable jam session that remained forever in JP’s memory. Since then on, the history is well known. For his last cd JP Cervoni has included a good bunch of musicians to back him, the most outstanding ones are Scott Henderson on guitar, Tony Breck on drums (who has also played with Rod Stewart or Jeff Beck), Buddy Miles on drums, Kevin Brandon on bass (Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige) and such great keyboard players like Carme Grillo (Tower Of Power), or Arnold McCuller (James Taylor, Phil Collins). A great bluesy project with a powerful ambitious sound.
Rob Paparozzi Etruscan Soul Self Production 2009. A gifted singer and harmonica player of inventive technique, fat tone and phrasing who surprises us with an intense colourful album, with a variety of different styles and song-writers, I dare say it will satisfy all of you. The cd has a compact effective rolling sound with an amazing feeling. The range of musicians included on the cd is really unbeatable with a level that exceeds the average, besides a careful faultless final production. You will find an accurate right songs selection, with tunes like Beatles’ “Ticket To Ride” that includes an unbelievable harmonica, New Orleans rhythm and blues like on Allen Toussaint’s “I’m Gone” or Quincy Jones’ “In the Heat Of the Night”, where Rob’s vocals are really superb in the path of Ray Charles. You will also find other delicious versions like Cream’s “Strange Brew”, Elton John’s “Border Song”, Stephen Stills’ “Love The One You Are With”, Sting’s “She’s Too Goof For Me”, Arthur Adams’ “Love And Peace” or Sonny Thompson’s “Let Them Talk” among other pearls you will find in this small treasure where diatonic and chromatic harmonica brightly shine. It is a cd that overflows with a passionate strength, a joyful feeling and lively communication… and, of course, all done in a black music repertoire. Fantastic!
The California Honeydrops Soul Tub!/ TubTone / Christine Vitale 2008. Joyful, colourful, festive and especially amusing is the music The California Honeydrops do. This nice four musician band gathers among their influences different musical styles, from blues to soul, gospel, rhythm & blues, doo-woop and in general all Americana roots music. An excellent debut album of a band who deeply know the musical legacy of the forerunners, from Louis Armstrong, Huey ‘Piano’ Smith, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Lonnie Johnson or Big Bill Broonzy, to James Brown and other soul stars. Their rich vocal harmonies are totally wonderful and, if we add the particular instrumentation they use with piano, tub bass, drums, percussion, guitar, trumpet, jug and washboard, the result is really amazing. “Soul Tub!” is a quite simple but at the same time precious album, with an unbeatable sound, where the warm passion of the whole musicians, their soul, their feeling and the overflowing enthusiasm are priceless. An album not to be forgotten and if you decide to buy a copy you certainly will not be disappointed. Twelve superb own songs coming from band leader and master Lech Wierzynski, that have fallen short to me and the true thing is I am hungry, I am really hungry of more California Honeydrops stuff!
Big Al Jano Some Of My Best Friends Have The Blues Hottrax 2007. Excellent and attractive compilation from great bass player and producer Big Al Jano who, with a bunch of twenty-four songs, celebrates his fifty years into show business industry. You will find all blues tastes and styles, from jump blues to heavy metal blues, rock blues, traditional blues, Chicago blues, hip-hop blues, upper Midwestern blues… and so on. Big Al Jano has recruited eighteen guitar players, eight horns, eight drummers, seven keyboard players, one harp player, four percussion players and, of course, he plays bass in everyone of the twenty four songs included on the cd. You will find a faultless selection on a serious very professional carefully done anthology, with a perfect sound and a high quality final production too. The elder track, “Insurance Man Blues” comes from 1957 and the newest one. “I Wish You Very Well” is dated 2007. In short words, it is a cd which deserves a place in any blues collection.
Barrelhouse Bob Page Smokin’ 88’s Hottrax 2009. Barrelhouse Bob Page is a singer and piano player of great talent, together with a huge technique, charisma and personality. Bob Page can –and in fact he does it- plays all different kinds of blues, jazz or boogie-woogie. With a melodic sharp but versatile style, owner of a wonderful technique and a rich powerful and expressive phrasing, “Smokin’ 88’s” gathers seventeen own songs, where Bob gives free rein to his feelings, combining musical creativity and sensibility, displaying with passionate vehemence a wide range of his amazing possibilities in blues, jazz and rock fields, with the priceless collaboration of eighteen first class musicians who back him on saxos, trumpet, clarinet, bugle, trombone, drums, guitars and bass, all them combined with a subtle good taste and a lot of feeling but, over all, with a total effectiveness. Page is deeply influenced by musicians like Fats Waller, Otis Spann, Albert Ammons and Professor Longhair who give him inspiration to build up his virtuoso own sober, elegant and precise style. A cd you should get and enjoy again and again without getting tired.
Give Me Back My Wig Last Minute Blues Self Production 2008. The band’s name comes from an old Hound Dog Taylor’s song. They have gradually evolved and getting more experience, not only as time has gone passing by but also with the lessons one learns when blues catches you and you follow it along the whole life. Blues comes with you as if it was your own shadow and shares with you happiness, pain, sad life moments and the difficult and pleasant times of your life but over all, it gives you deep satisfaction. All these personal experiences are what have enriched the band members who are Kara Turner on vocals, Joe Campbell on guitar and vocals, Bill Hayes on bass, Glenn Stacey on sax and Glen Maiden on drums. They sound cool and spontaneous in a bunch of good punching and well structured tidy songs where the convincing fantastic sexy voice of Kara Turner excels with a rolling strength. Give Me Back My Wig have started with jump, Texas, Memphis and Chicago blues they perfectly know and combine them with amazing criteria and deep swing.