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All CDs reviewed by the BLUES ACCESS editorial staff. Discs that have been given full reviews in this or previous issues of BLUES ACCESS are quoted with the reviewers initials in brackets. Note: Be sure to send us two (2) copies of all new releases. |
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Red
Rooster Pick (†=Import) |
Jake Andrews • Time to Burn "Sizzles with youthful exuberance and bravado. The 18-year-old Austin guitarist/vocalist’s playing is steeped in the blues, but the songs are a blues/rock hybrid." [Durchholz] (Sire/Cello)
Danny Angel and Bo Galigher • Mind Reader "Superior and tasteful support allows the Alabama-based musical partners to shine effortlessly throughout their abundance of well-crafted original songs. These guys have the goods." [Burke] (Vent)
Barrelhouse Chuck • Salute to Sunnyland Slim
Johnnie Bassett & the Blues Insurgents • Party My Blues Away
Beau Jocque and the Zydeco Hi-Rollers • Zydeco Giant The reliable M. Jocque delivers another heaping helping of "zydeco nouveau" seasoned by his personal synthesis of traditional zydeco and modern rhythms. The wailing guitars of Ray Mouton and Kent Pierre Augustine stand out on top of the Hi-Rollers’ loose, relaxed grooves. (Mardi Gras)
Duster Bennett • Comin’ Home This is the second set of unreleased recordings from 1971–’75 by the British harmonica/guitar player who died in 1976. A nice glimpse for those who remember him, but not nearly as tasty as what’s found on the earlier collection. (Indigo†)
Tab Benoit, Debbie Davies, Kenny Neal • Homesick for the Road The liner notes are no exaggeration: This is the sound of three "prodigiously talented performers sparked to new heights." With great guitar work and fine vocals, this CD will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout. Bonus appearance by Raful Neal on his own song "Luberta." Hot. (Telarc)
Chuck Berry • The Best of Chuck Berry: The Millennium Collection Berry’s hits have been repackaged dozens of times and this one is pretty slim pickings: only 11 tracks. But if somehow you don’t have "Maybellene," "Roll Over Beethoven," "Sweet Little Sixteen," "Carol," etc., you might want to pick it up. (MCA)
Bobby Bland • Blues & Ballads Sixteen recordings spanning 1960 to 1983 on the Duke, ABC/Dunhill, and MCA labels. From the bare sound of 1960’s "I’ve Been Wrong So Long" to the lush orchestrations on 1973’s "I’ve Got to Use My Imagination" and 1974’s "Lovin’ on Borrowed Time," these fine recordings from Bland’s fertile middle period also exemplify the sound these labels successfully cultivated to provide Bland with his series of hits. (MCA)
Blue Hoo • In Dog Years Subdued set of originals from this acoustic trio represents the laid-back regional sound of back-porch outfits popular in the Pacific Northwest. Blue Hoo sounds best during its slower, most introspective moments. (Geek Salad)
Blues Busters • Busted!
Blues Down Town • Evil Chaser These Swedes have that West Coast blues thing down. From the tasty guitar work to the chromatic harp tone, they’ve certainly listened carefully to Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers. I’d pay to see them … if I was in Sweden. (CeePeeVee)
The Boneshakers • Shake the Planet Essentially, the Boneshakers are lead vocalist Sweet Pea Atkinson and guitar wizard Randy Jacobs. Together they provide a smokin’ set of blues with strong soul and funk tinges. Soulful singing framed by shifting rhythmic and stylistic backdrops and punctuated with screaming guitar equals a fine modern blues amalgam. (Pointblank)
Skeeter Brandon & Hwy 61 • I’m a Man of My Word
Clarence Brewer • King Clarentz A workman-like effort, with "Fast Food Slow Death" as the funny standout track. Brewer’s over-exaggerated, strangulated vocals add comic effect to everything, for better or worse. (Tone)
Hadda Brooks • I’ve Got News for You Spotlighting the dual personality of the octogenarian Miss Brooks with tracks from the ’40s, ’50s and ’90s. Blues & R&B fans will want to hear the set of kicking boogie-woogie piano numbers (many featuring Pete Johnson) collected on "Hadda Swings," while "Hadda Sings" offers a set with more contemporary tracks, mostly torchy pop-jazz standards highlighted by Ms. Brooks’ duet with Charles Brown on "Stairway to the Stars." (Pointblank)
Lonnie Brooks, Long John Hunter and Phillip Walker • Lone Star Shootout
Aron Burton • Good Blues to You Good blues to you is exactly what this veteran Chicago bassman delivers. His rich history is clearly painted across this colorful variety of tunes, anchored by solid bass lines and convincing vocals. (Delmark)
Cafe Blue • A Good Night for the Blues
Barbara Carr • What a Woman Wants Barbara Carr is telling it like it is on this one — a perfect way to prepare for those hot steamy nights. Finger-snappin’ tunes sure to keep dance-floors hoppin’ and back seats rockin’. (Ecko)
Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band • Too Hot to Handle Bayou swamp-funk captured live in Lafayette, Louisiana, at the Grant Street Dancehall. Oh yeah, that zydeco accordion is out in front as this spirited party band dances through a set of originals and unlikely covers like "Turn on Your Lovelight," "Fire on the Mountain" and "Rock Me Baby." (Louisiana Red Hot)
Boozoo Chavis and the Magic Sounds • Who Stole My Monkey? "A raw, down-home blend of zydeco, R&B and blues. The emphasis is on an insistent dance beat that verges on maniacal. These are songs that beg motion, not introspection. " [Powell] (Rounder)
Jon Cleary • Moonburn
Robert Cray • Take Your Shoes Off
Dam Dog • Dog’gone Well-intentioned second effort from the Kyle Brothers is long on homemade charm but short on originality. (Coon Dog)
Honey Davis • My Heart Attacked Me The basic tracks for this disc were recorded in 1988 to honor the memory of Mary "Christmas," guitarist Davis’ long-time partner and keyboard player. Blues, blues-rock and a little blue-eyed soul, some of it with a terrific amount of feeling. The mono sound is pretty cheesy, but several cuts from the original LP bear repeated airplay. The CD tacks on some live and studio tracks from ’86 and ’87. (Blue Flame†)
Delaney • Sounds From Home That’s right, it’s Delaney Bramlett back with a sampler of the music that is truest to his heart, moving from funk to Southern pop-rock and back to the blues a la Nashville, then on to the very country "It’s Over," where Bramlett aspires to the Roy Orbison sound and does a great job. (Zane)
Fats Domino • Fats Is Back A digitally remastered reissue of the fabulous 1968 Warner/Reprise sessions featuring Fats actually recording an album, where most of his previous work (65 million records worth) was singles or collections of hits. None of the well-known hits here, just some great music. (Bullseye Blues)
Johnny Drummer • It’s So Nice Drummer offers up some smooooth, soul-flavored blues that go down real easy. Likeable if a bit predictable lyrically, he wraps some nice pipes around the lover-man tunes. (Earwig)
The Mark DuFresne Band Featuring Billy Stapleton • Have Another Round Outstanding harp work from DuFresne and the cutting guitar of Billy Stapleton help define a slightly different take on the West Coast sound that makes this band unique. Their twisted lyrics ("Hell Is What You Make It") make it all fun as they walk the line between Robert Cray and James Harman.
Dan Electro & the Silvertones • Reason to Lie Swinging jump blues at its best here with 16 tunes performed by guys who have some mileage — what they lack in youthful energy, they make up for in taste. If your toe’s not tapping, it must be amputated. (Cattone)
Fatt Bottom Blues Band • An agreeably laid-back Atlanta trio with a vocalist who sounds so subdued as to seem disembodied, ghost-like, yet it adds to rather than detracts from the atmosphere. Could grow on you.
Kirk "Eli" Fletcher • I’m Here & I’m Gone
Robben Ford • Sunrise "As this collection of live tunes from 1972 clearly demonstrates, Ford started out an ambitious and hungry player keen to the prevailing fusion vibe but respectful of blues and jazz roots. This period sampler is a nice reminder that the guy used to peel some paint and need a haircut." [Kirby] (Avenue)
Willie Foster • Live at Airport Grocery "Will mainly interest those who are looking for music a little closer to road-house/juke-joint territory than is offered by keen-edged touring bands and want it to come from a player of seniority." [Schuller] (Mempho)
Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets Featuring Sam Myers • Change in My Pocket
Al Garrett • Out of Bad Luck Promising outing by long-time L.A. sideman Al Garrett, who cites Wayne Bennett and Magic Sam as influences but isn’t a slave to their styles. Direct, soulful singing and axework elevate this first solo effort above the pack. (Fedora)
Gashouse Dave and the Hardtails • Hollywood After Dark Slick, cinematic modern blues from the wild, seedy side of the L.A. urban jungle with clever topical lyrics: mail order guns, rent-a-car queens and Devil Girl chocolate bars. (Terra Nova Records)
Danny Gatton • Portraits
Buddy Guy • Buddy’s Baddest: The Best of Buddy Guy
The Hangan Brothers • Life Is a Hard Blues Recorded live at the Smokehouse in Alta Loma, California in 1995 and 1996, this is some really smooth acoustic blues featuring harp, bass, drums and guitar, with a bit of slide and some fiddle and accordion added in discreet measure. The focus is on Clabe Hangan’s vocals, framed by a homey Piedmont sound that draws you right in. (Deep Water)
Corey Harris • Greens From the Garden
Hash Brown’s Texas Blues Revue
Headhunters • Voodoo Pie Blues-rock for the H.O.R.D.E. set from this Austin, Texas combo. They deliver raucous takes on "Killing Floor," "Baby Please Don’t Go" and other classics, while their originals are strictly Blues Traveler, Jr.
Tessie Hill • I Must Tell Jesus
Aashid Himons & the Mountain Soul Band • West Virginia Hills If a fusion of bluegrass, Appalachian mountain music and traditional blues tunes sounds like your cup of tea, taste this. Interesting … but is it the blues? (Soptek)
Dave Hole • Under the Spell "Always captivating, Hole goes off on wildly inventive solo flights, taking listeners out on a limb yet always managing to reel things back in without falling on his face. But man, this music would really take off if he had a vocalist up to the task of taking on that guitar work." [Martinez] (Alligator)
Earl Hooker • Simply the Best
John Lee Hooker • The Best of John Lee Hooker: The Millennium Collection
Houndog "This music has a great feel — spare, ghostly, intimate, lurching, it rides the mainline to the heart. But narcoleptic singer Mike Halby spends a lot of time flitting around the line that separates honest blues feeling from blackface minstrelsy lampooning, and he doesn’t seem to have much sense of what side of the line he’s on at any given time." [Morthland] (Legacy)
Howard and the White Boys • The Big Score "A very competent rock band with blues leanings, a kicking rhythm section and two guitarists who somehow manage to work together without stepping on each other’s toes. But the addition of greater vocal muscle and better tunes would serve them well and might give them a more recognizable musical persona." [Cianci] (Evidence)
Iko Iko • Protected By Voodoo Careful here — the name makes you think zydeco, but it’s not that at all. A slight touch of N’Awlins sound is almost undetectable in this collection of moody pieces accentuated by Graham Wood Drout’s smoky vocals. This one grows on you. (Little Silver)
Indigo Swing • Red Light! "One of the founding bands of the current neo-swing movement. Charismatic frontman Johnny Boyd’s crooning perfection brings an assured grace to every note, whether lush and tender or jumpin’." [Huchtemann] (Time Bomb)
John Jackson • Country Blues & Ditties
John Jackson • Front Porch Blues
Big George Jackson • Beggin’ Ain’t for Me Big George has a big voice and plays mean harp, shown to good advantage on this collection of easy-rollin’ Chicago-style blues. (Black & Tan)
The Russell Jackson Band • Becoming Blue "Singer and bass player Jackson is a soulful and convincing vocalist, guitarist James Rogers is a sharp improviser, the band is masterlocked in, and they turn out a blend of blues and soul designed to move a crowd." [Kisliuk] (StoneBluz)
Alvon Johnson • Alvon "Alvon — the lover, the guitar god, the goof-off, the straight-ahead bluesman — this Bay Area nightclub stalwart performs on many instruments, and his earthy vocals display a timing and ease that come from working lots of crowds. He can wail on the guitar." [Kisliuk]
Jelly Roll Johnson • … And a Few Close Friends Harpist Johnson teams up with Nashville songwriters Verlon Thompson, Tony Arata, Scott Miller, Malcolm Holcomb and others and adds his harmonica to the acoustic guitars and vocal talents of the songwriters as they perform their own material. A smooth sound like Piedmont blues strained through Nashville, with a distinctive twang just barely perceptible on these 11 well-produced tunes. (JMJ)
Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson • Live at the Rynborn This disc captures a Johnson set circa 1995. Although the recording sound is somewhat thin, you still get the feeling that the house was definitely rocked that night. Might have been transcendent with better production. (MC)
Scott Keeton and the Deviants • 100 Mile Blues Oklahoma-based blues-rocker Scott Keeton dishes up an even dozen tunes in true Texas style with his four-piece band. This is roadhouse music the way you love it, with a slice of pizza and a dark beer. (JSP )
Sue Keller • Those Irresistible Blues "Keller offers a look into the Spirit of Blues Past, with a rollicking collection of piano boogies, rags and vamps without amps, hearkening back to the very beginnings of barrelhouse. Modern blues piano players will find nearly every trick they know demonstrated somewhere in these 66 minutes devoted to the 88s." [Kisliuk] (HV Recording)
Luther Kent • Down in New Orleans Gettin’ down and dirty in New Orleans. The lyrics are good, Kent is up to snuff vocally, the playing is polished, but the endless parade of slow-to-mid tempos drag things down considerably. Sparks don’t quite fly like they should have. (Louisiana Red Hot)
Albert King • Blues Masters: The Very Best of Albert King
B.B. King • Live in Japan
B.B. King • The Best of B.B. King: The Millennium Collection Ten songs, all but one from his late-60s/mid-’70s ABC catalogue. "The Thrill Is Gone" is here, of course, but so is the questionable "Into the Night." Maybe these are B.B.’s best-sellers, but they’re not always his best sides. (MCA)
King Cotton Blues Band • 10' Tall With three pieces plus a vocalist, King Cotton delivers a clean sound with some welcome space around it. You can hear guitarist Eddie Gay’s obvious Stevie Ray and Jimmy Vaughan influences, but he’s a bit closer to the latter’s understated lines than the former’s over-the-top approach. (Clovis)
Knockout Greg & Blue Weather • 7-8-9-10 & Out This is the third release by a top-notch combo from Sweden, and offers proof that the blues is truly universal. They strut all the right stuff on this swingin’ set, highlighted by nice harp and guitar work, and you can only just barely detect an accent on Greg’s knockout vocals. Fun. (Blue Mood)
Koerner, Ray & Glover • The Return of Koerner Ray & Glover (1965) The three Minnesotans shine on this CD reissue of their third and last album. Their original material holds up well and they offer a very credible take on the acoustic blues. Good stuff. (Red House)
Paul Lamb and the King Snakes • The Blue Album
Tim "Too Slim" Langford • Pint Store Blues Decent acoustic blues effort from this Spokane trio. Lotsa covers, especially Lightnin’ Hopkins. How ’bout some originals next time? (Underworld)
Little Ray and the Blues Sonics • Hot Rod Blues It’s that guitar, bass, drums and harp combination from Southwest Texas again. The difference is the outstanding guitar work of Little Ray himself, doing an excellent job of pulling it all together. (Great Blues Recordings)
Loaded Dice • (Acoustic Trio) This guitar-piano-harmonica group displays great taste in cover material: Randy Newman’s "Guilty," Sam Cooke’s "Bring It On Home," Johnny Copeland’s "Cut off My Right Arm," plus 9 more — all performed with homespun, laid-back charm.
John "Juke" Logan • Juke Rhythm
Willie Lomax Blues Revue • Ribs Are Ready Guitarist Willie Lomax (the pseudonym of a Florida dentist) surrounds himself with a solid cast of characters on a bunch of well-written original tunes recorded at Willie Mitchell’s Royal Recording Studio in Memphis. Organist/vocalist Shawn Brown sings in a modern style that sometimes verges on the overwrought, but his bombast is tempered by guest spots from Frank Frost, Sam Carr and James Peterson which make for the most authentic-sounding numbers on the disc. (Big Boss Records)
Louisiana Red • Always Played the Blues "Blues veteran Louisiana Red (ne Iverson Minter) proves that rhythmic exuberance and professional guile can be more important than technical innovation on this CD reissue of decade-old recordings." [Burke] (JSP†)
Louisiana Red • Millennium Blues This blues survivor’s homecoming party is a blistering affair. Red’s backed by a fine ensemble of Chicago blues vets on the electric rockers and alternates with harrowing solo acoustic slide workouts on standout cuts like "Orphanage Blues." His slide guitar and vocals still pack a wallop. (Earwig)
Mahoney Bros. Blues Band • Cruisin’ for a Bluzin’
J.J. Malone • See Me Early in the Morning
Marla BB • I’m No Angel New York’s "Sassy Mama" does the over-the-top blues diva thing, backed by ace NYC studio cats on this four-song demo. (Ascending Productions)
Brett Marvin & the Thunderbolts • Vintage Thunderbolts A collection of material from 1970–’89 by one of the most eclectic groups of blues enthusiasts ever to come out of England. Souped-up country blues by a garage band having more fun than should be legal. Too bad the recording quality is so poor, as the electrified acoustic slide guitar work of Graham Hine deserves better. (Mooncrest)
John Mayall • Rock the Blues Tonight Two discs of "official bootlegs" from Mayall’s 1970–’71 Canadian tour, featuring Harvey Mandel, Sugarcane Harris and Larry Taylor, plus three songs from the "jazz-blues fusion" band with Freddie Roulette, Blue Mitchell, Fred Clark, Victor Gaskin and Keefe Hartley. Sound quality is acceptable, but there’s some duplication of the more popular songs like "Crying," "Took the Car" and "Possessive Emotions." A real treat for fans of this period in Mayall’s lengthy career. (Indigo†)
John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers • Padlock on the Blues
Mighty Sam McClain • Soul Survivor
Jay McShann With Duke Robillard and Maria Muldaur • Still Jumpin’ the Blues
The Maynard Mills Blues Band • Blues By Light This four-song demo of mostly long blues jams, recorded live, shows promise, though the vocals are a little weak. File under Bar Band for now.
R.J. Mischo • West Wind Blowin
Mojo Stu • Good Gravy Recorded direct to tape with no overdubs, Stuart Bryant a.k.a. Mojo Stu bares his soul over some nice acoustic finger-picking. The mostly original works create a late night vibe, with Stu bellowing over the top. (Mudbone)
The Moochers • Mean Business
Mike Morgan & the Crawl • I Like the Way You Work It
Big Bill Morganfield • Rising Son
Maria Muldaur • Meet Me Where They Play the Blues "Seductive, sultry vocals that evoke smoke-filled after-hours clubs are the allure that Maria Muldaur brings to Meet Me Where They Play the Blues. From the opening lines of ‘Soothe Me,’ with its sweet-as-molasses delivery, to the gospel-tinged closing cut, ‘The Promised Land,’ she taunts, teases and titillates with her vocal stylings." [Koetzner] (Telarc)
Charlie Musselwhite • Continental Drifter This is really three Charlies in one: (1) frontman for a straight-ahead blues band, (2) the solo Charlie, just acoustic guitar and harp, and (3) worldbeat Charlie, melding blues with authentic Brazilian and Cuban backup bands. Charlie gets points for experimenting, and also for pulling it off … for the most part. (Pointblank)
Raymond Myles With the Rams • Heaven Is the Place Myles, the New Orleans gospel music giant who was brutally murdered in October 1998, shows here why he was at the forefront of contemporary gospel music as he leads his choir through a live set that includes "Jesus Is the Baddest Man in Town." Myles and the Rams were a regular closing act in the Gospel Tent at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival until his untimely demise. (NYNO)
Jimmy Nalls • Ain’t No Stranger Nalls is a very tasty guitar slinger, purveyor of laid-back blues and swampy rock’n’roll. While his vocals are serviceable, his true voice comes across loud and clear on his guitar. Features Chuck Leavall of the Allmans on two tracks, and nice harp from Will Rhodarmer. (MRL)
Old Time Blues & Boogie Duo • Live Again Piano/guitar duo has them stompin’ and hollering’ at that little inn just off the … autobahn? Yep, it’s two Germans faithfully rendering Musselwhite, Dixon and Blind Blake. Nice stride piano and vocals.
The Parish • Dance on the Moon Dutch blues-rock power trio leans heavily on all the usual influences in this set of forgettable originals.
Asie Payton • Worried
Ross William Perry • It’ll All Make Sense Teenage wunderkind Perry shows off his SRV licks and raises the stakes in the "I’m a young white kid playing loud blues guitar" competition. Watch out Johnny Lang and company, this kid has some real guitar licks, and his vocals don’t sound as strained as some of his ilk. (Kidblue)
Piano "C" Red • Cab Driving Man Chicago cabdriver-keyboardist James Wheeler is probably a hoot to catch in some South Side club, but on this set of 1991 recordings his simplistic songs are derivative and their grooves get worked to death. Some tunes feature a horn section that can’t seem to decide what key they’re in. (Keyboard)
Toni Price • Low Down And Up
Primetime Blues Band • Prime Cut Blues Adequate bar-band blues for the average corner bar. Needs polish and inspiration if the blues ladder is to be climbed.
Gary Primich • Botheration
A.C. Reed • Junk Food With Albert Collins "Instead of the weary cliches that populate many blues recordings, saxman Reed stirs up an original brew of topical humor and wit that celebrates life as he knows it. His musical approach ranges from tight funk grooves to plodding slow blues to driving shuffles." [Powell] (Delmark)
Johnny Reed & the Houserockers • That’s the Blues Eight tasty tunes from harpman Johnny Reed and his cohorts Danny Pratt on guitar, Catfish Warner on bass, and Rolly Rayman on drums.
Chuck Roberson • Love Power Some modern soul/R&B with that distinctive Memphis sound. Roberson’s vocals are right on, but the best cut is the only real blues on the CD, "You Ain’t Cheatin’ by the Rules." (Ecko)
Roy Roberts • Deeper Shade of Blue On his third CD, Roberts plays and sings with sophistication, style and grace, informed by his years as guitarist for the likes of Solomon Burke and Eddie Floyd. (King Snake)
Duke Robillard • New Blues for Modern Man "Despite his preservationist credentials, Robillard isn’t afraid to experiment. The first six tracks are fine examples of Robillard’s rockin’ repertoire; then, on five of the next six cuts, Robillard takes us back to the old school. Here’s a tip: If you prefer Robillard’s vintage blues over his rock material, program your CD player so that the tracks play in reverse order." [Ranney] (Shanachie)
Curtis Salgado • Wiggle Outta This Salgado has put together a tight band featuring John Wedermeyer’s guitars and co-writer Peter Boe’s keyboards to showcase his vocal and harp work. Guest appearances on various cuts by Duke Robillard, Terry Robb, Marlon McClain and others add nicely to the mix. (Shanachie)
Evie Sands • Women in Prison Sands is the classic hard-luck music business story. After her original versions of "I Can’t Let Go" and "Angel of the Morning" became hits for others, she’s back from a period of relative obscurity with a somewhat tentative album that crosses blues with pop elements. Her pop side is more successful — hopefully she’ll keep at it. (Train Wreck†)
Savoy Brown • The Blues Keep Me Holding On
Ken Saydak • Foolish Man "Pianist Saydak generally goes easy on the instrumental fireworks in favor of smart, neatly framed songs about frustrated love, regret and the simple joys of imperfect living. He keeps his focus on the tunes, delivering each with measured burn." [Kirby] (Delmark)
"Blue" Max Schang • All These Years Schang is an accomplished guitarist who’s as much at home on acoustic slide as he is playing originals, Chicago blues, Chuck Berry or Clifton Chenier. A swingin’, tasteful affair. (Hot Rod/Blue Max)
Keith Scott • No Mercy Scott’s fiery guitar work cuts through this low-budget six-song demo like a machete. File under Guitar Hero. (KSO)
Greg Serrato • Holy Smokes
Shufflin’ Grand Dads • Burnin’ The cute "shaped" disc, a cartoon Grand Dad in his rocking chair in front of stacks of amps, is unfortunately the best thing about this shrill, ’70s-style blues-rock nightmare.
Terrance Simien • Positively Beadhead A straight-ahead romp through all the Louisiana idioms, courtesy of accordionist Simien and pals. Reach for this well-paced zydeco workout if you need some good Creole spice. (Tone Cool)
Clarence "Guitar" Sims • Born to Sing the Blues
Paul "Lil’ Buck" Sinegal • The Buck Starts Here
Stavin’ Chain • "Grayson Capps and John Lawrence employ Delta blues, classic R&B, folk, rock and the Crescent City’s second-line influence. Named after a bawdy Jelly Roll Morton song, the guitar duo sound more like ’70s rockers gone mostly unplugged." [Cianci] (Ruf Records)
Patrick Stilwell • Kaleidoscope Stilwell shows off his exceptionally fluid style on guitar, accented by clean, uncluttered tones and some jazzy phrasing. The disc has a smoky, laid-back feel — if only the vocals had been stronger, this might have been a really exceptional release. (Echotone)
Rob Stone and the C-Note$ • No Worries
Job Striles • Job Striles Sings and Plays "Striles is another in a long line of sharp L.A.-based guitarists who pick in the T-Bone tradition. His style is distinctive in part because it’s a little bit rougher and a little bit rowdier than his clean-picking counterparts, but still creative and always musical. His singing is pretty much up to the task." [Kisliuk] (DayJobView)
The Swan Silvertones • A Collection of Their Finest Recordings Claude Jeter’s amazing falsetto is front and center on most of these late ’60s recordings by the ground-breaking gospel group named after the Swan Bakery, sponsor of their Knoxville radio show in the ’40s. (Music Club)
Taboo Blue • Mood Swings Second CD from this Minnesota crew offers low-key blues-inflected rock with thoughtful songs like "Hurtin’ Don’t Feel So Bad" and "I Believe in My Dreams." The bonus live tracks at the end show that they can up the ante in front of a crowd. (Spacely Sparks/Cold Wind)
Tail Dragger • American People "This West Side Chicago club fixture has almost as much grit in his voice as the man he used to imitate, Howlin’ Wolf. Though five decades of bouncy electric Chicago blues exactly like this have robbed the element of surprise from some of these songs, intermittently they stomp." [Knopper] (Delmark)
Jeff Terra • Groovin in the Galaxy "Guitarist Terra’s tone is fat, nice, and he plays in an inventive though unobtrusive way that illuminates the fine ensemble work on originals, covers by Freddie King, Albert Collins, Jack McDuff and others." [Kisliuk] (Synergy)
Allen Toussaint & Friends • A Taste of New Orleans From soul to gospel, reggae to jazz, funk to pop, the Crescent City is well represented in this compilation of contemporary Allen Toussaint productions for NYNO Records. Artists include Toussaint, James Andrews, Raymond Miles, Sista Teedy, Amadee Castenell, Larry Hamilton, Grace Darling, Wallace Johnson, New Birth Brass Band, Paul Sinegal, Oliver Morgan and Tricia Boutté. (NYNO)
Trickbag • Just Passing Through
Nap "Don’t Forget the Blues" Turner • Live at City Blues D.C-area radio personality captured live, doing credible readings of Percy Mayfield (five of them!) and Lowell Fulson songs, but the pacing suffers when a slow dirge is repeatedly followed by an easy shuffle. The most interesting piece is "Wedding Pledge," where Turner reads a Frederick Douglas Harper poem over the tune "When a Man Loves a Woman" in an impossibly deep baritone. (Right On Rhythm)
Various • Afro-American Blues and Game Songs The Library of Congress Archive of Folk Culture has a six-CD series dedicated to American Folk music. Volume 4 includes a young farm worker named McKinley Morganfield playing guitar and singing "I Be’s Troubled," recorded by Alan Lomax at Stovall, Mississippi in 1941. Also Sonny Terry, Vera Hall, Ora Dell Graham and various inmates of Southern penitentiaries. (Rounder)
Various • Blues Power/Songs of Eric Clapton: This Ain’t No Tribute "The all-star line-up has the problematic task of lifting Clapton’s blues-rock inventions out of their original context and transforming them into something more closely related to the blues tradition, with predictably mixed results." [Kirby] (House Of Blues)
Various • The Blues You Would Just Hate to Lose, Vol. 2 Thirteen cuts from a variety of Washington DC-based blues artists, many recorded live at local clubs. (Right On Rhythm)
Various • Chicago Blues Hard Times Here’s 22 slices of early post-war Chicago blues on a slew of indie labels, featuring a young Little Walter, Snooky Pryor, Sunnyland Slim, and Muddy Waters, among others. A pair of old favorites, Floyd Jones’ "Stockyard Blues" and Johnny Young’s "Money Takin’ Woman," are included. (Indigo†)
Various • The Excello Story; Vol. 1 1952–1956 "Excello was the confluence of blues, country, Cajun, rockabilly, doo-wop and novelty rock’n’roll." [Robins] You can hear that wild diversity (along with some gospel) in these early sides recorded in Nashville. Arthur Gunter’s "Baby Let’s Play House" is the closest thing to a well-known tune here, unlike, say, "Calling All Cows" by the Blues Rockers. Also the Peacheroos, Shy Guy Douglas, Kid King’s Combo, the Leap Frogs, the Dixie Doodlers and lots more. (Hip-O)
Various • The Excello Story; Vol. 2 1955–1957
Various • The Excello Story; Vol. 3 1957–1961
Various • The Excello Story; Vol. 4 1961–1975 Add to the mix Tabby Thomas, Little Sonny, Baby Boy Warren, Moses "Whispering" Smith, and Silas Hogan, whose "Trouble at Home Blues" has great lyrics like "These roaches round here have got so brave, people / They shut the gas off on my stove." There are also forays into soul with the Kelly Brothers, Kip Anderson, Marva Whitey, Jerry Washington and Roshell Anderson. (Hip-O)
Various • Fish Tree Water Blues "A fundraiser for the Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, the broad cross-section of music represented here falls better into Dave Alvin’s descriptive ‘American Music’ category, an eclectic vision for which Fish Tree Water Blues should be applauded." [Huchtemann] (Bullseye Blues)
Various • Go Daddy Go; Juke Joint Jive Series Wanna dance? Fans of modern swing can take a lesson here straight from the source, with cuts by Gene Krupa, Count Basie, Louis Prima, Cab Calloway and Benny Goodman among others. (The Right Stuff)
Various • House of Blues Swings! This "insider’s tour" of the modern swing movement, courtesy of House of Blues and Heidi Richman, showcases modern pop combos from both coasts, the Midwest, and even the U.K., including a Big Sandy & the Fly-Rite Boys tune and a rollicking version of "Conjunction Function (Schoolhouse Rock Rules}." (Platinum)
Various • The Last Soul Company A six-CD, 112-track boxed set from contemporary blues powerhouse Malaco Records. "Its unshakable faith in the perennial appeal of soul music made Malaco a magnet for artists deemed marginal by the major labels or refugees from defunct specialty companies like Stax. There’s nothing wrong with a good cheating song, of course, but there’s so much betrayal, guilt, hiding and shame in these songs that Malaco’s Jackson studio sometimes seems like it’s located in Beverly Holler 90210." [Robins] (Malaco)
Various • Orleans Records Story
Various • Texas Blues Radio Volume 2 Nationally-known acts (Mike Morgan and Pat Boyack) and local heroes from North Texas join forces in support of Dallas/Ft. Worth community radio station KNON. While the quality of the productions may vary, the quality of the music does not. (KNON Radio)
Various • To the Blues The small Birmingham, Alabama-based Vent label specializes in a variety of blues styles: Little Whitt & Big Bo and Little Jimmy Reed are the most down-home of the lot, with more contemporary sounds from Topper Price & the Upsetters, Dick’s Hat Band, the King Brothers, Mark Sallings & the Famous Unknowns and the Pounders. (Vent)
Various • Uptown Lounge Marquee lineup including Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole, Carmen McRae, Sammy Davis Jr. and many others performing bluesy standards. Truly fine and mellow. (The Right Stuff)
C.A. Waller • What Do You Do With Your Blues? A fine selection of acoustic blues — both originals and covers — featuring slide guitarist Waller singing and playing backed by fiddle, mandolin, bass and various back-up vocals and minimal percussion. Easy Listening Blues. (Palace)
Clara Ward & the Clara Ward Singers • Somebody Bigger Than You & I
Muddy Waters • The Best of Muddy Waters: The Millennium Collection As with most of these "Millennium Collection" best-ofs, the sound is great but the time is skimpy. Just 11 of Muddy’s hits from 1951–’56, clocking in at barely over 32 minutes. (MCA)
Johnny "Guitar" Watson • Blues Masters: The Very Best of Johnny "Guitar" Watson
Doc and Richard Watson • Third Generation Blues
Bill Wharton & the Ingredients • Recipes
The Wild Magnolias • Life Is a Carnival Big Chief Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias hit the jackpot with this irrepressible collection of Mardi Gras Indian songs past and present, funked up in grand style by a musical consort that includes Dr. John, Cyril Neville, guitarist June Yamagishi and a non-stop rhythm section with Norwood "Geechee" Johnson on the big bass drum. Instant classics like "Coochie Molly," "Tootie Ma" and "Old Time Indian" place this spirited outing in a direct line with the gang’s self-titled debut album on Polydor from 25 years ago. (Metro Blue/Capitol)
Arthur Williams • Harpin’ on It With Boo Boo Davis
Big Joe Williams and Friends • Going Back to Crawford Big Joe served as both artist and talent scout for these recording sessions made in Crawford and Starkville, Mississippi, in 1971. The 26 tracks introduce Big Joe’s "discoveries" Austen Pete, John "Shortstuff" Macon and Glover Lee Connor, but the real find is vocalist Amelia Johnson who stops the show with four hard-hitting tunes. (Arhoolie)
The Williams Brothers • Trust in the Lord From slow testifying to funky soul alleluiahs, this compilation of nine early hits by the four-decades-old gospel group ranges wide stylistically and is enjoyable throughout. Sad to say, though, it’s over in only half an hour. (Peacock/MCA)
Zydeco Bone Shakers • Bone Shakin’ Zydeco Former backup band of the late Rockin’ Sidney steps out on its own with an agreeably breezy set of zydeco stylings distinguished by the return to records of accordionist Miss Ann Goodley. Sure to put a smile on your face and a flame under your feet. (Louisiana Red Hot)
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