New Blues & Gospel News – 2/13/2017
New Blues News – 2/13/2017
Elvin Bishop – Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio (Alligator): Hey, you all! It’s ole country-side Elvin coming your way with a bunch of original tunes, some co-written with his buddies and some ole time songs by Sunnyland Slim, Lightnin’ Hopkins and even the Womack Brothers! And right from the beginning, you know ole Elvin’s fixin’ to have himself a real good time! He rounded up Willy Jordan (cajon, vocals) and Bob Welsh (guitar, piano) to play along and, for some serious harp-blowin’, he rounded up Kim Wilson, Rick Estrin and Charlie Musselwhite. It’s all a “let’s have some fun” with Elvin and friends turning it loose disc and they don’t call it the big fun trio for nothing! Click here and scroll down to sample several of the songs on this disc.
Thornetta Davis – Honest Woman (Self-produced): This actually seems to be Thornetta Davis’ fourth release. It’s rather hard to imagine considering her talent and her first release was in 1996 (“Sunday Morning Music”). The gospel connection shows up in both her style and all but one of her original songs here. She has integrated her gospel and blue soul roots quite well. Davis has a strong, clear voice. Her lyrics and singing show maturity, never over-doing the delivery or the message. She’s a strong declarative singer, but not a shouter. Davis’ backup includes Brett Lucas (guitar), James Simonson (bass), Phillip J Hales (keys), Todd Glass or Phillip J Hale (drums) with guests Kim Wilson (harmonica), Larry McCray (guitar), Chris Codish (keys) and occasional horns by James O’Donnell, John Douglas or Edward Gooch (trumpet); John Paxton (trombone), Dave McMurray (sax) and variety of backup singers. A certified Professor Bebop “Wax Devoid of Cracks”! Click here to listen to samples from all of the songs on this disc.
Beth Hart – Fire On The Floor (Provogue): Big voiced singer Beth Hart is a combination shouter / rocker / tough mama with a sassy attitude and a case of the blues. Her large voice also gives way to a softer side, but she’s mostly a dramatic uptown rocker. Hart also wrote or cowrote all of the songs on offer. Her musical backing is provided by Michael Landau, Waddy Watchel and Oliver Leiber (guitar), Brian Allen and Paul Peterson Eric (bass), Rick Marotta (drums), Jim Cox (piano, Wurlitzer), Ivan Neville (keys), Dean Parks (acoustic guitar), Eric Leeds (sax) and Brad Shermock (trumpet). It’s a solid performance throughout. Pop, cabaret, soul blues, and rock. Click here to listen to a song from this disc.
Robert Randolph & The Family Band – Got Soul (Masterworks): Sacred steel player Robert Randolph presents twelve new performances, most of which are secular. Randolph has his own intense style and is augmented by Johnny Gales (guitar), Raymond Angry (Hammond B-3), Derrick Hodge (bass) and Marcus Randolph (drums) and a host of guests, including vocals by Anthony Hill, Darius Rucker, Cory Henry (also plays B-3) and a chorus featuring Lanesha Randolph, Candice Anderson, Stevie Ladson, and Johnny Gales. Randolph wrote or co-wrote all but two songs on this disc. This disc is jammin’, rockin’ and typically intense. A must for slide fans and those who love to boogie! Click here to listen to the opening track on this disc.
McIntosh County Shouters – Spirituals & Shout Songs From The Georgia Coast – (Smithsonian Folkways): The McIntosh County Shouters continue the generations-old tradition of “ring shouting” which originated in a small community in coastal Georgia. The topics are prayers, Bible story songs and songs of determination and encouragement. In performance, the shouts are often accompanied by a “shuffle-step devotional movement.” This disc is a historical document and will appeal to musical historians as well as religious audiences. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop
