New Blues News – 3/14/2017
New Blues News – 3/14/2017
Sean Chambers – Trouble & Whiskey (American Showplace): Singer/songwriter/guitarist Sean Chambers is a new blues rocker on American Showplace Music, a label to pay attention to. In the past couple of years, Ben Elliott, founder of American Showplace Music, has worked with Paul Oscher and Bob Margolin of Muddy Waters’ band, Levon Helm, Leslie West and Mountain, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, Savoy Brown, Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton and Robert Randolph, as well as newcomers guitarist and shouter extraordinaire Alexis P. Suter and keyboard stomper John Ginty (with and without big voiced singer Aster Pheonyx). The style is mainly blues rock, but the mixture tends to be the best blend of the style ever! Chambers wrote several of the songs on this disc. He sings like a rocker with a country funk twist and his rock guitar blends rock with blues and rock’n’roll. Chambers is supported by Kris Schnebelen (drums), Todd Cook (bass) and Michael Hensley (B3, piano) with guest appearances by John Ginty (B3), Jimmy Bennett (guitar) and Andrei Koribanics (percussion). This is party music with a great punch. In this genre, I would have to declare this a certified Professor Bebop “Wax Devoid Of Cracks”! Click here to listen to a brief sampler of some songs on this disc.
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band – Front Porch Sessions (Thirty Tigers): As odd as this may seem, the new Reverend Payton disc is the most minimalist release so far. Yes, band members are still here, but what that means is Washboard Breezy Peyton playing a touch of washboard, with claps and tambourine, and Maxwell Senteney playing suitcase, tambourine and slaps and claps. The Reverend plays various guitars and sings lead. The lyrics are extremely minimal as well, which assures that the simplicity is the main element of the performance. Peyton composed six of the eleven songs. The covers include Willie Johnson’s “Let Your Light Shine”, Miles and Bob Pratcher’s It’s All Night Long”, Furry Lewis’ “When My Baby Left Me” and the traditional songs “When You Lose Your Money” and “Cornbread And Butterbeans”. Remember, this is a”front porch” session. Click here to listen to a song from this disc.
Scott Ramminger – Do What Your Heart Says To (Self-produced): This appears to be singer/songwriter/sax player Scott Ramminger’s third release and it is as cool as a breeze and as hot as anything Delbert McClinton or any of those other crazy brothers have committed to wax or plastic. Ramminger has wit and a large, lazy voice suitable for any NOLA singer, which by the way he is! All fourteen of the songs here are originals and musical support is provided by Doug Belote and Johnny Vidacovich (drums); George Porter, Jr and Roland Guerin (bass); Shane Theriot (guitar); David Torkanowsky (keys); Rick Trolsen and Greg Hicks (trombone); Eric Lucero (trumpet); Roddie Romero (accordion); and guest vocalists Tommy Malone, Bekka Bramlett, Francine Reed, Janiva Magness, Roddie Romero and the McCrary Sisters. Here are a few titles to clue you to the vibe: “Someone New To Disappoint”, “Give A Pencil To A Fish”, “Winter Is Always Worse” and “It’s Hard To Be Me”. A bucket full of fun, some pitiful advice, and a blast from end to end! Click here to listen to “Give A Pencil To A Fish”.
Zoe Schwarz – Blue Commotion: This Is The Life I Choose (33 Records): Singer Zoe Schwarz has released numerous discs over her career, most often in a jazzy mode, but she considers herself to be more blues oriented. She is supported by long-term associate Rob Koral (guitar), Pete Whittaker (Hammond organ) and Paul Robinson (drums). Additional musicians Ian Ellis (sax), Andy Urquhart (trumpet) and Julie Staines (backing vocals) are added to a few songs. All but two songs on the disc were composed by Schwarz and Koral, though lyrics written by others for four more songs. Click here and scroll down to listen to two songs on this disc: “Broken” and “People”.
Tedeschi Trucks Band – Live From The Fox Oakland (Fantasy): This is a live performance from the actual current band. After the tour with the late Sharon Jones and Doyle Bramhall II, the original band has toured on its own. Given these parameters, the band includes Susan Tedeschi (vocals, guitar), Derek Trucks (guitar), Kofi Burbridge (keys, flute), Tyler “Falcon” Greenwell and JJ Johnson (drums, percussion), Tim Lefebvre (bass), Mike Mattison (vocal, acoustic guitar), Mark Rivers and Alecia Chakour (vocals), Kebbi Williams (sax), Elizabeth Lee (trombone), and Ephaim Owen (trumpet) with guest Alam Khan (sarode). The performance itself, includes several songs from the “Let Me Get By” disc and some unexpected performances like “Bird On The Wire” (Leonard Cohen), and “Within You , Without You” (George Harrison). The extended numbers are reminiscent of the old days and are quite nice. Click here and look to bottom right to listen to a song from this set.
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop
