New Blues News – 10/17/2018
New Blues News – 10/17/2018
Doyle Bramhall II – Shades (Provogue): Doyle Bramhall II certainly has one of the most unusual music sensitivities around. He blends blues, rock and a variety of sensitivities, whether by feeling or musicality. The song order here is unusual, starting with two strong rockers beyond which the songs are mostly reflective ballads. Ultimately, the set seems to be a collection of disconnected songs and yet the more I have listened to the disc, the more it has grown on me. There are guest appearances by Eric Clapton, Norah Jones and the Greyhounds and the set closes out with Bramhall and the Tedeschi Trucks Band performing Bob Dylan’s “Going Going Gone”. The disc is a challenge, but there are some terrific songs here. Click here and scroll down and click “Listen” to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Rachelle Coba –Blink (American Showplace Music): Singer/songwriter/guitarist Rachelle Coba has an edgy soul blues voice and a strong guitar style that blends some rock in with her blues style. She can sing with power, but she’s not really a shouter. Her backing musicians are the multi-talented John Ginty (Hammond B-3, electric piano, acoustic piano, keys and percussion), Paul Kuzik (bass) and Andrei Koribanics (drums, percussion) with a guest appearance by Jimmy Bennett on dobro. The disc moves along with convincing style and edge. Click here to listen to a segment of the title song.
Kirk Fletcher – Hold On (Self-produced): Singer and guitarist Kirk Fletcher is a knock-out guitarist and singer and a fine songwriter as well. Al Blake, blues harmonica player, introduced Kirk to the solid West Coast blues sound and to Kim Wilson. After a term breaking in with the group, Fletcher began a three year stint as the group’s lead guitarist. This is his sixth release and his current band includes Matt Brown (drums, percussion) and Jonny Henderson (organ, piano, Wurlitzer), with guest singers Mahalia Barnes and Jade McCrea joining the group on one song each. The bottom line here is Fletcher’s totally fantastic guitar work. It’s soulful and thoughtful and some of the smoothest and solid guitar playing around. Click here to listen to the opening song on this disc.
Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne – Inspired By The Blues (Stony Plain): Boogie pianist Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne offers his twelfth career release and he’s still boogying just fine. Wayne also sings and plays organ on this disc and he’s in great company, including Russell Jackson (bass), Joey DiMarco (drums), Yuji Ihara (lead & rhythm guitar), Dave Babcock (tenor & bari sax) and Bob Tildesley (trumpet) with special guests Billy Branch (harmonica), Duke Robillard (guitar) and Lynne Cheryl (backing vocals). The disc also includes a performance from a gig in Mexico which features a local band on “Georgia On My Mind”. All other songs were composed by Wayne. The style flows and offers a fair amount of variety. Very pleasant! It should appeal to fans of mellow blues jumps as well as boogie. Click here to listen to and see an introduction to this disc.
Tony Joe White – Bad Mouthin’ (YepRoc): Tony Joe White returns with a collection of songs including two that he wrote long ago but which were never released. He sounds exactly as he did in 1969 when he released “Polk Salad Annie”. Mostly he accompanies himself on guitar, but he is backed by drummer Bryan Owens on a few. White also plays harmonica on one song. It’s low down and lonesome. Click here to listen to the title song.
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop
