New Blues News – 11/28/2016
New Blues News – 11/28/2016
Dave Keller – Right Back Atcha (Tastee Tone): Not to quibble, but to describe the sound more accurately, Keller’s disc is more associated with soul than blues. In fact, his voice is reminiscent of Eddie Hinton’s and the style is pretty much there as well. Now don’t get me wrong, that’s all perfectly fine with me. Keller sings and plays a strong guitar and wrote or co-wrote all but one song on this disc. His band includes Ira Friedman (B-3, piano), Gary Lotspeich (bass), and Brett Hoffman (drums) and the Mo’ Sax Horns: Jessica Friedman (bari, alto sax); Joe Moore (tenor); and Terry Youk (c-melody sax). Guests include Morgan Klarich and April Casari (backing vocals), Michael Close (cello) and Paul Reynolds (violin, viola). The songs are solid throughout and everybody’s seems to be having a terrific time. Keller did some recording with Ronnie Earl in 2009. That’s enough for me! Click here to listen to three songs on this disc.
Deb Ryder – Grit Grease & Tears (BEJEB Music): This is the third release by Chicago native Deb Ryder. Ryder was heavily influenced by her idols Etta James and Koko Taylor and shares their full and often powerful vocal styles. She is also a writer and composed all but one of the songs on this disc and she has gathered an amazing cast of musicians to back her on this disc: Tony Braunagel (drums); Ric Ryder (bass) with Kenny Gradney (Little Feat) subbing on one cut; Kirk Fletcher, Johnny Lee Schell and Albert Lee share guitar duties; Mike Finnegan (piano, B-3) on all but one cut where he is replaced by Jim Pugh (Robert Cray); Joe Sublett (tenor sax) and Darrel Leonard (trumpet) join in on two cuts; and Pieter van der Pluijm and Bob Corritone add harmonica on several songs. Sugaray Rayford even joins in with fine voice on one song. This is one totally solid blues disc! Click here to listen to the songs on this disc.
Eric Sommer – Brooklyn Bolero (Self-produced): Eric Sommer is a new name to me, but he has apparently played with folks like Dr. John, David Bromberg and Nick Lowe. He writes in a variety of styles but mostly in a folksy style whether hot or not. Sommer sings and plays guitar, stomp box, and harp. He can truly get down with his slide or do some nice finger picking as well. He also has a lot of fun (check out “Cereal Song”). Sommer is accompanied by Jim Oakley on percussion and Zach Smith on bass. All of the songs here are originals. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Mike Zito – Make Blues Not War (Ruf): Hard rockin’ blues like you’d expect from Mike Zito and he’s got a fine set of musicians supporting his blistering guitar and vocals. The basic crew includes Tom Hambridge (drums, harmony), Tommy MacDonald (bass) and Rob McNeeley (guitar), with drop-ins Kevin McKendree (keys), Walter Trout (guitar), Jason Ricci (harmonica), and son Zach Zito (guitar). Zito co-wrote five of the sings with Hambridge, who co-wrote most of the rest withRichard Fleming. There are also a couple of oldies written by Luther Allison and Clarence Garlow. This is what blues rock really should be – burning guitar and big vocals!!! Click here to listen to the opening track on this disc.
Various Artists – Blues Mix 22 – Down South Soul (Ecko): Saturday night dance club music mostly offering up the opportunity to dance and hook up. Not as efficient as an online service, but certainly more immediately tantalizing. Performers include Jaye Hammer, O.B. Buchana, Donnie Ray, Ms Jody, and Sheba Potts-Wright among others and the music is medium tempo, smooth and as uptown as one gets beyond the outskirts of town. Click here to listen to a sample song from this collection.
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop
