New Blues News – 7/11/2017
New Blues News – 7/11/2017
Linsey Alexander – Two Cats (Delmark): Composer/singer/guitarist Linsey Alexander was born in Mississippi, raised in Memphis and has lived in Chicago for nearly 50 years. He has a rather unique style, mixing Chicago blues with a touch or two of old laid back Mississippi blues. His themes include modern as well as longterm universal concerns. Alexander also adds a splash of humor from time to time (I’m In Love With A Woman” – you know that woman had a woman, too” or “Why I Sing The Blues” – an Alexander original – “…you got yourself a boyfriend and you gave him my automobile..I went down his house to get my automobile, he said, ‘take your lawn mower, too!’” The program is mixed and mostly easy going. In addition to Alexander, players include Anthony Palmer and Breezy Rodeo (guitar), Roosevelt Purifoy (keys), EG McDaniel (bass), Bryant Parker and James Wilson (drums) Kenny Anderson (trumpet, arrangements), Hank Ford (tenor sax), Norman Palm (trombone), and Paul Hanover (harmonica). It’s good time, old time blues. Click here to listen to a song from this disc.
Andy T Band – Double Strike (American Showplace Music): Big Band blues fronted by guitarist Andy T with vocalists Alabama Mike and Nick Nixon. Mike has the power and Nick, who retired from the band a year ago, the deeper and steadier voice. Other band members are Larry van Loon (piano, Hammond B3); Mike Flanigin (B3); Johnny Bradley (bass); Jim Klingler (drums); Greg Izor (harp on one cut); and the Texas Horns: Kaz Kazonov (tenor sax), John Mills (bari sax), and Al Gomez (trumpet). Wait! Anson Funderburgh not only produced, but also plays his fiery guitar on four cuts! The band is solid, but mostly stays in the mid-tempo range. They offer power, but it’s a slow burn. They may be finding their way again, but I expect they’ll get there. There are definitely some good moments here. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Chuck Berry – Chuck (Dualtone): No doubt the final recordings by one of, if not THE, most important figure in the creation of rock’n’roll, who passed away last March. Chuck Berry’s influence not only defined the 50’s but also shaped the 60’s. He didn’t have much of his power left by this point, but the opener is fabulous: Charles Berry Jr, Charles Berry III, and Gary Clark Jr plugged in to honor the man! The tunes rock or show Chuck on his softer side, but it is a fitting finale to, no doubt, THE most essential rock’n’roll player of all time. If you don’t have the earlier music, then start there. If you’re a true fan, grab this disc to complete your set. I saw Chuck Berry perform live in 1964 and, after playing the opening number (I can’t remember what it was), he thanked the audience for the applause and said, “Well, I think I’ll play some Chuck Berry music —— I might as well, it seems like everyone else is.” And, at that time, he was totally right! Just check The Beatles, Rolling Stones, even Elvis for some evidence! Click here to listen to the opening song.
The Cash Box Kings – Royal Mint (Alligator): This is the Cash Box Kings’ ninth disc and their first for Alligator. They are dedicated to old style electric Chicago blues and house party styles. The group includes Joe Nosek (harmonica, vocal), Oscar Wilson (vocals), Billy Flynn (guitar, mandolin), Joel Paterson (guitar), Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith and Mark Haines (trading off on drums) and Brad Ber (bass) with guests Lee Kanehira (piano, organ), Mel Ford (rhythm guitar), Alex Hall (drums), Al Falaschi (tenor, bari sax), Darren Sterud (trombone), and Jim Doherty (trumpet). As you might expect, there is a fair amount of variety in this set. Nosek wrote or co-wrote five of the songs and sings lead on them. His harp playing is strong and one of the highlights of the disc. Oscar Wilson has a full voice and style that is sometimes reminiscent of Muddy Waters, but he is more melodic overall. The band plays tight, but sometimes the shifting personnel gives the disc variable quality. When they are right on it, the music is crisp and powerful and they are clearly at their best. The shifts in personnel may be temporary, but that’s not clear. I would keep an ear on these guys as their high points are terrific. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Sonny Landreth – Recorded Live In Lafayette: Acoustic & Electric (Provogue): Here’s a two disc live performance by Sonny Landreth, surely one of the greatest and most original guitarists in the world! He starts the performance acoustically with “Blues Attack”, one of his earliest songs, and then conducts a two-disc tour of his career. The music flows through the years and the styles with supporting musicians David Ranson (bass, backing vocals) and Brian Brignac (drums, precision, backing vocals) and guests Steve Conn (keys, accordion, vocals) and Sam Broussard (guitar, backing vocals). Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of all of the songs on this release.
Revelator Hill – Atlantic Detour (Root Nine): This blues band from Northern Virginia mixes a heavy rock sound with the blues for their style. The band features Bobby Thompson (vocals, guitar), Seth Morrissey (bass, vocals), Wes Launch (keys), Gary Crockett (drums, percussion, vocals) and Jeff Mills (percussion). Thompson wrote or co-wrote all but two of the songs. One is a Chris Whitley song and the other is Howlin’ Wolf’s “How Many More Years”. The sound is much heavier on the rock side, so I would rate as blues ROCK. This group is playing at the Central Virginia Blues Society Festival this Saturday. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Bobby Thompson – Live At IOTA (Root Nine): Two years before there was “Revelator Hill”, there was Bobby Thompson with the same group and they recorded this live disc. Thompson wrote or co-wrote all but song, Elmore James’ “Look Over Yonder’s Wall”. The sound is lighter than on the current disc, but still connected tightly to the blues. My label would likely read as “Blues Rock”. The live recording certainly suggests that live performances are a great place to discover this group. They are playing at the Central Virginia Blues Society Festival this Saturday. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this live disc.
The Jon Spear Band – Hot Sauce (Self-produced): This new disc from the Jon Spear Band is their best yet! Plenty of great playing on a dozen original songs that span a variety styles. The group features Jon Spear (guitar, goals), Dara James (guitar, harp, vocals), Andy Burdetsky (bass, backing vocal) and John Stubblefield (drums, backing vocals) and they are certainly having a good time! Guest musicians include Ron Holloway (sax), Nate Brown (congas), Butch Taylor (keys), Matty Metcalfe (accordion) and guest vocalists Nathaniel Star and Yolanda Jones. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop
