New Blues & Soul News – 10/2/2017
New Blues & Soul News – 10/2/2017
New Blues News:
Jimmy Carpenter – Plays The Blues (Vizztone): If you’ve been in Cville or DC for a long time, you would remember saxman, singer Jimmy Carpenter who helped burn up the DC and Cville scenes before heading out to NOLA and elsewhere. Well, just in case you thought he might have lost his touch, here’s a great response to allay your fears. Carpenter sings and blows solid sax throughout this disc with the backing of Mike Zito (guitar, vocals), Matthew Johnson (drums); Bob Bridges (bass); and Marc Adams (piano, organ). Most of the songs are covers, including old favs like “Blues With A Feeling” and “Change Is Gonna Come” and the less expected or known like “You Belong To Me” (Sam Maghett). Others are less well known, but still great songs. Zito, who can really lay it down, blends especially well with Carpenter. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Tommy Castro – Stompin’ Ground (Alligator): Tommy Castro has always had a significant tendency toward rock’n’roll with blues as a flavor though he has certainly varied emphasis over the years. This time out, he’s playing solidly to his strengths, meaning that the rock’n’roll is the prime element even though there are significant blues flavors included. It may well be the older and somewhat simpler or more direct r’n’r and r’n’b suits him the best. Oldies like “Sticks And Stones” popularized by Ray Charles and “Soul Shake” (Delaney and Bonnie) connect with this group of originals best. In addition to Castro (vocals, guitar), the group includes Randy McDonald (bass, backing vocals), Bowen Brown (drums), and Michael Emerson (keys) with special guests David Hidalgo (guitar, vocal), Charlie Musselwhite (vocal, harmonica), Danielle Nicole (vocal), Mike Zito (guitar, vocal) and Kid Andersen (guitar, sax, bass). Lisa Leuschner Andersen (backing vocals), Nancy Wright (sax), John Halbleib (trumpet) and Robby Yamilov (backing vocals) add more spice. Click here to listen to the songs on this disc.
Joel Dasilva – Everywhere From Here (Self-produced): Singer/songwriter/guitarist Joel Dasilva is described as “ an American blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter hailing from Chicago, Illinois, and currently based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.” (http://joeldasilvamusic.com/about/) He sings in a declarative and smooth voice somewhat like a blend between Chris Isaak and early Ricky Nelson with a swampy blues edge. The production also adds to the atmosphere with touch of echo here and there on his voice and guitar. The guitar style is direct with no pyrotechnics. His is a big guitar where each note or chord means something. He composed all of the tunes on the disc. Backing is very straightforward as well: Robert Cleary (bass), Chris Peet (drums), John Calzavara (pedal steel), Alejandro Sanched (accordion), Rick Rico Geragi (percussion) and Tom Regis (keys). Click here to listen to a song from this disc.
Leonard Griffie – Better Late Than No Time Soon (Self-produced): Leonard Griffie is a roadhouse blues player (guitars, synth, vocals, writer) who has been tracking around the countryside for many years. His band includes Doug McAlister (bass), Mark Stever (drums), Michael Vannice (piano, organ), Gordon Greenley (sax) and Randy Scherer (trumpet). His voice has some obvious road wear and is most effective when he can sing/talk his songs. He and his band play in a laid-back, make-each-note-count mode and that suits them just fine. Griffie’s wit is a central piece of the action. Songs like “I’m Not Like That”, “You Done Stepped In It Now” and “Better Late Than No Time Soon” give you the idea. Speaking of which, click here to listen to samples of all of the songs on this disc.
Iliana Katz Katz – Subway Stories (Vizztone): Fiddler/singer Iliana Katz Katz returns with a new disc of traditional, old blues and several original tunes written or co-written by her. Supporting musicians include Barry Levenson (guitar, producer, arranger), Mike Sandberg (drums, percussion, backing vocal), Hank Van Sickle (bass) and guests Anthony Geraci (piano) and Sugar Ray Norcia (harmonica). The musical backing is completely solid. Katz bio describes her playing: “Ilana’s fiddling stems from the old-time Appalachian tradition and dives deep into the Blues.” Her singing is somewhat reminiscent of Maybelle Carter’s. Click here to listen to a sample of the first song on the disc.
Cassie Keenum & Rick Randlett – Hauntings (Self-produced): Singer/songwriter/guitarist Cassie Keenum and guitarist/singer/songwriter Rick Randlett offer their first cd which contains ten original songs and a cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”. Their instrumental and vocal sound is straightforward, emphasizing the lyrics. On one hand, their presentation is relatively unadorned, yet it really focuses the listener’s attention to the lyrics and mood. There is a rural feel to their presentation, but the lyrics carry a truly “haunting” magnetism. Additional musicians include Nicole Wagner (bass), Rusty Valentine (drums), Little Mike (harmonica on 2 songs) and Mitch Rogers (keys on 1). The sound is timeless and compelling. Folk and roots fans definitely check this out. Click here to listen to the songs on this disc.
Rob Lutes – Walk In The Dark (Self-produced): Veteran singer/songwriter/guitarist Rob Lutes offers his seventh disc filled with twelve original songs and a cover of John Prine’s “Rocky Mountain Time”. Lutes is highly respected and this disc clearly shows why. His lyrics are deep and have been described as “literary” and one listen to this disc clearly proves the truth of that statement. Lutes plays blues and folk styles and handles both with terrific authority. His voice has a touch of the “Dylan” scratch and often sounds whispery but he can kick up a fuss as well. Accompanying musicians are Rob MacDonald (electric, resophonic, acoustic guitar); Mark Nelson (drums); Andrew Horton (bass); Bob Stagg (piano, organ, Wurlitzer); Guy Belanger (harmonica); Joe Grass (mandolin); with Josh Zubot (violin) and Rob Fahie (bass) on one song. Lutes covers a wide array of styles and carries them all with craft and style. A certified “Professor Bebop Wax Devoid Of Cracks”! Click here and scroll down to check out two songs from this disc.
Terry Robb – Cool On The Bloom (Self-produced): Phenomenal acoustic guitarist Terry Robb has performed in numerous settings over the years, performing with John Fahey, Maria Muldaur, Glenn Moore, Eddie Clearwater and Curtis Salgado among others and he has recorded with B.B. King, Albert Lee, Joe Cocker, Bo Diddley, Robert Cray, George Thorogood, and Leo Kottke. He has dazzling facility on the guitar and plays in several styles. This release is a reminder of just how stunningly he plays, now forty years into his career. He plays solo on seven of the cuts here, with a changing set of backing performers including Doug Smith (guitar), Albert Reda (acoustic bass guitar), Dave Kahl (bass), Jeff Minick (percussion) and Dennis Carter (drums). The dominant force, however, is Robb and he is masterful throughout the disc. A certified “Professor Bebop Wax Devoid of Cracks”! Click here to see a live version of a song on this disc.
New Soul Adds:
Lloyd Price – “Mr. Personality” – This Is Rock And Roll (Double L): R&B legend Lloyd Price has a new release! I would first say that his voice is in very good shape, which is amazing after his long career of singing with such full force. He’s much mellower as is his music, but that’s not too surprising given his 84 years on the planet! The music is much more modern, perhaps more like a night club style. Songs include updated versions of “Blueberry Hill”, “I’m Walkin’”, “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” and “I Can’t Help Myself”, but none of Price’s hits. The band is lead by guitarist Mick Gaffney and features brass and strings. Click here to listen to samples of the onsets on this disc.
Wee Willie Walker & The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra – After A While (Blue Dot): Knockout soul man Wee Willie Walker has joined forces with guitarist/composer/band leader Anthony Paule to create a smooth as silk soul issue that is a total song sensation! The disc presents eight original compositions and five revisitations, including George Jackson’s “I Don’t Want To Take A Chance”, Luther Dixon’s “Look What You’ve Done to Me”, Hayes and Porter’s “Your Good Thing Is About To End”, Lil Green and Big Bill Broonzy’s “Romance In The Dark” and a revival of Otis Redding and Carla Thomas’ “Lovey Dovey”. Walker is in great form and the Paule Band does everything you could hope for in a soul band. Paule’s band includes Tony Lufrano (B-3, Wurlitzer, Steinway piano), Derrick “D-Mar” Martin (drums, percussion, vibes), Paul Olguin (bass), Tom Poole (trumpet), Derek James (trombone), Charles McNeal (tenor sax), Johnnie Bamont (bari sax, flute), Loralee Christensen, Larry Batiste and Glenn Waters (backing vocals) and guest singer Terrie Odabi playing Carla to Walker’s Redding. A great mix of styles whether ballads or soul singsations! A certified Professor Bebop “Wax Devoid Of Cracks”! Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop
