New Blues News – 11/22/2016

New Blues News – 11/22/2016

Knickerbocker All-Stars – Texas Rhody Blues (JP Cadillac): First of all, hats off to this crew of bluesmen for forming a super group for the blues. They play so well in the various groupings and maximize their talents. This is the third release and may well be the best so far. The players are Duke Robillard (guitar, vocals); Jimmie Vaughan and Monster Mike Welch (guitar); Al Copley, Bruce Bears and Matt McCabe (piano); Doug James (bari & tenor sax); Rich Lataille (alto & tenor sax); Doc Chaninhouse (trumpet); Carl Querfurth (trombone); and Brian Templeton, Willie J Laws and Sugar Ray Rayford (vocals). Everyone is on top of his game and the ensemble is really tight throughout. In truth, Robillard’s vocals have lost some punch, but it’s Duke Robillard and if he wants to sing, so be it. Most of the selections are standards written by such greats as Jimmy McCracklin, Dave Bartholomew, Roy Milton, Lowell Fulson and others and they shine. This set is as good as the original Roomful of Blues. Click here to listen to samples of the tracks on this disc. 

Trudy Lynn – I’ll Sing The Blues For You (Self-produced): Blues singer and sometimes shouter Trudy Lynn is back in action belting the blues and throwing in new takes on some vintage blues and R&B like Big Mama Thornton’s “Alright Baby”, Memphis Minnie’s “World Of Trouble” and Esther Phillips’ “If It’s New To You”. She also wrote one for the disc herself – “Thru Chasin’ You”. The supporting musicians are Steve Krase (harmonica), David Carter (guitar), Terry Dry (bass), Randy Wall (keys) and Matt Johnson (drums). They are a solid group and build a wonderful musical setting for Lynn’s blues, sass and class. It’s a studio work, but sounds like a live club date. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.  

Monkeyjunk – Time To Roll (Stony Plain): Here’s a Canadian swamp blues/rock/rock’n’roll band, featuring Tony D (guitar), Steve Marriner (guitar, bass, harmonica, organ), and Matt Sobb (drums, percussion, backing vocals). Kelly Prescott and Ken Friesen add harmony vocals. It’s basically good old funky, more often than not uncomplicated, straightforward rocking. They have a good sound and the lyrics are catchy as well. Click here to listen to the first three songs on this disc.  

Gina Sicilia – Sunset Avenue (Blue Elan): Large-voiced Singer/songwriter Gina Sicilia wrote all but one of the songs on this EP, her sixth release. She is supported by Ron Jennings and Glenn Barratt (guitar), Ken Pendergast (bass), Scott Key (drums), Gary Oleyar (fiddle), and Joel Bryant and Walter Runge (organ, piano). The one cover is a version of “Tell Him”, a Bert Berns teen hit in the early 60s, which seems to suit her reasonably well. The most successful songs are those on the country soul side of things. Click here to listen to the opening song.  

Ken Valdez – Soul Renegade (Self-produced): This is blues ROCK – about as close to the older heavy metal sound as one could get. Valdez wrote half of the songs and sings and plays guitar. He is supported by Paul Peterson (bass), Mario Dawson, Michael Bland, Jay Cockran, Joe Diaz and Panco Lopez (rotating on drums), Ricky Peterson, Brant Leeper and Adam Daniel (B3), Adam Daniel (piano), and guest guitarists Chris Duarte and Eric Gales. Click here and scroll down to listen to two songs from the disc (neither is the most intense on the disc): “Sometimes” and “Rio Grande Blues”.   

Kopasetically,

Professor Bebop

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