New Blues & Soul News – 6/17/2017
New Blues & Soul News – 6/17/2017
New Blues Adds:
Paul Dougherty – Spankin’ Hankin’ (Bake It Black): This is an interesting release experimenting with modernizing the Hank Williams’ catalogue with a mixture of pop-rock-blues-club style instrumentation and inflections. Dougherty plays all instruments and sings. It’s reminiscent of Elvis’ latter day treatments of country soul, though Dougherty doesn’t have a bombastic voice. Hear for yourself by clicking this.
Gov’t Mule – Revolution Come…Revolution Go (Fantasy): Warren Haynes and company return with a wide-ranging set of songs about love, doubt, politics, and loss. The jam band features Haynes (vocals, guitar), Matt Abts (drums), Danny Louis (keys, guitar, backing vocals), and Jorgen Carlsson (bass) with Gordie Johnson (steel guitar) and Jimmie Vaughan (guitar) guesting. There’s a somewhat somber tone here, but there is some inventive progressive rock as well. Click here for an introduction to this disc and listen to a sample song.
Gina Sicilia – Tug Of War (Bluelan): Gina Sicilia has been around for a while and has recently moved to Nashville. This new disc features eight original songs and covers of the country soul gem “He Called Me Baby”, the 1962 pop hit “Tell Him” from Bert Burns and a slowed down version of the Beatles’ “All My Loving”. She seems to be identifying as a blues singer and she does have a strong voice, but most of the songs here are more country soul. It’s polished as well. Supporting musicians include Ron Jennings, Dave Darling and Zach Zonis (guitars), Ken Pendergast (bass, replaced by Darling on one), Scott Key and Matt Tecu (drums), Joel Bryant, Walter Runge and Arlan Oscar (sharing time on organ, B3 and the latter two piano). Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Tim Williams (Williams, Wayne & Isaak) – Big City, Back Country Blues (Self-produced): Here’s an interesting group ready and willing to entertain fans of the old days. Tim Williams (guitar, mandolin, Hawaiian guitar, vocals) won the International Blues Challenge in 2014 as one of many highlights in his five decade career and he contributed two originals and one arrangement to this program. Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne contributed three originals and plays piano and sings on this disc. Brandon Isaak plays guitar, harmonica, drums, and bass and sings on his four original songs. The combination is old timey and fun. The only songs you would know are Big Bill Broonzy’s “Sit Down And Write This Letter”, the traditional “Betty and Dupree” or “Tell Me How Long”. At the same time, it would be easy to assume the new songs were written and performed long ago. The blend is that good. Click here to listen to the songs on this disc.
New Soul Adds:
Don Bryant – Don’t Give Up On Love (Fat Possum): Singer Don Bryant began his career over 40 years ago for “Hi” Records, a company that would have it’s greatest success with the “Hi Sound” in the 1970s. Still in great voice, Bryant recorded with long-time colleagues Howard Grimes (drums) and Charles Hodges (organ) with the addition of Archie “Hubbie”Turner (keys), Scott Bomar (bass), Joe Restivo and John Paul Keith (guitar), Marc Franklin (trumpet) and Kirk Smothers and Art Edmaiston (saxes). Bryant wrote many of the songs on offer, some in partnership with Scott Bomar. The sound is reminiscent of the old soul, with the smooth vocals and style from Bryant’s earlier days. Such a treat! Speaking of which, click here and you can listen to the entire disc!
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop
