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New Blues & Soul News – 3/5/2019

Matt Andersen – Halfway Home By Morning (True North): Canadian singer/songwriter/guitarist offers his tenth release – a survey of blue soul, country twinged, down-home original songs with an occasional touch of gospel. Andersen has a full, somewhat smokey voice that certainly commands the listener’s full attention. He also wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on this disc. His backing musicians are wonderfully solid throughout: Steve Dawson (guitar, pump organ, pedal steel, mandotar); Mike Farington (bass); Jay Bellerose (drums); Chris Gestrin (Hammond organ, Wurlitzer, piano, mellotron); Jim Hoke (sax), Charles Rose (trombone); Steve Hermann (trumpet); and back-up vocals by Amy Helm and The McCrary Sisters. Especially recommended for soul and country soul fans. A certified Professor Bebop “Wax Devoid of Cracks”! Click here to listen to samples of four songs from this disc.  

Willie Buck – Willie Buck Way (Delmark): “Willie Buck Way is the name of an honorary street named after Willie Buck in his hometown, Chicago AND it’s the name of his new album on Delmark Records. Accompanied by Billy Flynn, Thaddeus Krolicki, guitars; Scott Dirks and Harmonica Hinds, harmonica; Johnny Iguana, piano; Bob Stroger, bass and Jimmi Mayes, drums, Buck delivers twelve new original songs along and five covers.” (https://delmark.com/2019/01/07/new-album-by-blues-master-willie-buck/) He has the grit and style of the older Chicago blues that shaped the 50s and 60s. This release takes us back to the heyday of Muddy, Wolf and the other greats of Chicago. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.  

Tommy Castro & The Painkillers – Killin’ It Live (Alligator): The title of this disc pretty much tells the story: Tommy Castro wrote or co-wrote eight of the ten songs on this set, he’s in great voice sharing his power and control and his guitar playing is absolutely smokin’! His backup players are right in the groove as well – Randy McDonald (bass, backing vocal); Bowen Brown (drums) and Mike Emerson (keys). Super tight, rockin’ electric blues! Click here for a teaser introduction to this disc.  

Glen Clark – You Tell Me (Self-produced): Glen Clark is undoubtedly best known as the Glen in Delbert & Glen, but he has also performed with Kris Kristofferson and Bonnie Raitt and was music director for the Blues Brothers with Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi. His songs have been recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Loretta Lynn, Etta James, Shemekia Copeland, Rita Coolidge, Teresa James, Wynonna Judd, Kris Kristofferson, Ronnie Millsap, and John Mayall, among others. The style is blue soul with a significant connection to country. This disc offers one song composed by Clark, one written by Kris Kristofferson, one with Steve Cropper and most of the rest co-wriiten with Jeff Silber (guitar). Band members include John Bryant (drums, percussion, vocal), Jim Milan (bass, vocal) and Sam Swank (guitar) with guests James Pennebaker (guitar), Jim Foster (trumpet) and Ron Jones (sax). There is a lot of very solid music here, especially for fans of somewhat laid back and funky country soul. Click here to listen to the title song.  

Eric Jerardi – Occupied (Niche): Singer/songwriter/guitarist Eric Jerardi began his career during and right after college and has continued to gain fans with his blues/soul/country rock songs. He plays a solid guitar and is backed up on this disc by David Hood (bass), Clayton Ivey (electric piano, organ), Milton Sledge (drums), Kelvin Holly (rhythm guitar), Charles Rose (trombone), Steve Herman (trumpet), Doug Moffet (sax) Marie Lewey and Cindy Walker (backing vocals). Jerardi has great skills on guitar and singing. This is a very solid disc. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.  

Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival – Badlands (Self-produced): “Born in Minnesota, Jennifer Lyn grew up between two worlds: one, her family’s love and appreciation for traditional country, folk, and gospel music in her home; the other, the years she spent absorbing many diverse forms of music while living in various places throughout the United States. Getting serious about the guitar in 2013, it didn’t take her long to decide to front her own band, Jennifer Lyn & The Groove Revival. Backed by seasoned veterans Richard Torrance – Guitar/Vocals (Capital/Shelter Records), Jim Anderson – Drums/Vocals (The Pointer Sisters, Maria Muldaur), and Kevin Holm – Bass, Jennifer and her band share their broad musical background with their growing group of fans.” (https://www.jenniferlynmusic.com/about) Lyn composed one song with Torrance and the remainder on her own. This is her second release and she focuses on blues with a rock edge and ballads. She has a large voice which often serves her well. Click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on free download to listen to a sample.   

John Mayall – Nobody Told Me (Forty Below): John Mayall continues to create noteworthy blues even at the age of 85! He wrote three of the ten songs on this release and though he was never a strong singer, he sounds as strong or stronger than he has in a good while. In addition to singing, he plays harmonica and keyboards and his rhythm section suits him terrifically – everything is just straight and simple blues. The rhythm section features Jay Davenport (drums) and Greg Rzab (bass) and there is a parade of guests on guitar including Joe Bonamassa, Larry McCray, Alex Lifeson, Todd Rundgren, Carolyn Wonderland and Steve Van Zandt. Three of the songs were written by Mayall and the others were selected carefully to assure a fresh collection. Those writers include Magic Sam and Little Milton from the old days and newer ones like Jeff Healey, Joe Bonamassa and Gary Moore and others. Click here to listen to the title song.   

Katarina Pejak – Roads That Cross (Ruf): Katarina Pejak was introduced to piano by her father when she was quite young. She studied music at Berklee College of Music, perfecting her piano and vocal technique. This is her first release and it features nine original compositions, one of which was co-written with Mike Zito who also played on one song on this recording. Pejak also covers “Sex Kills” (Joni Mitchell) and “Turtle Blues” (Janis Joplin). Pejak sings with a soft “kewpie doll” style at times which creates a unique, somewhat naughty flair which has been compared to Norah Jones. Backing musicians include Laura Chavez (guitar), Lonnie Trevino Jr (bass) and Damien Llanes (drums). Click here to listen to the songs on this disc.   

The Paul Speidel Band – Backline (Self-produced): This is the Paul Speidel Band’s third release and it is a wonderful set! It could easily be considered as a jazz gig. Speidel is adamant that this is a band release and the additional players – Brendan Byrnes (drums) and bass players, Ed Lucie and Kenny Larsen who replace Byrnes on two songs are clearly beyond being a basic rhythm section. So whether a fan of jazz, blues or progressive music check this out! Righteous! Don’t miss this one!  A certified Professor Bebop “Wax Devoid of Cracks”! Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.    

New Soul Add:

The Suffers  – Everything Here (Shanachie): “The Suffers are a ten-piece band from Houston, TX who are redefining the sound of Gulf Coast Soul, intertwining elements of Classic American Soul with Rock & Roll.” They have a smooth sound that jumps at times, but doesn’t reflect the sounds of iconic Memphis soul. In fact, it often reflects what Motown might be doing if they were looking for a new mix to reach those old fans with a current blend. It’s a new blend and it’s about time! Mellow and determined – smooth and sure. They are clearly in their own class. “The Suffers’ ten-piece line up was curated by bassist Adam Castaneda and keyboardist/songwriter/vocalist Pat Kelly in 2011. The pair brought on trumpet player Jon Durbin, trombonist Michael Razo, guitarist Kevin Bernier, and percussionist Jose “Chapy” Luna, all band mates from earlier projects. Filling out the rhythm section are accomplished jazz saxophonist Cory Wilson and songwriting/producing duo Alex Zamora on guitar/vocals and Nick Zamora on drums/vocals. Vocalist/songwriter Kam Franklin, having recently completed a tour with London-based group The Very Best, was recruited to front the band.” (http://thesuffers.tumblr.com/bio) A certified Professor Bebop “Wax Devoid of Cracks!”! Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.   

Kopasetically,

Professor Bebop