New Blues News – 2/9/2021
By Dave Rogers
New Blues News – 2/9/2021
Ray Bonneville –Gust Of Wind (Stony Plain): “Ray Bonneville combines electric blues motifs, a light sense of humor, and a pop approach to song-making. On pieces like the opening “Don’t Look Back,” with electric piano from Richard Bell, this combination comes across as a sort of Memphis Randy Newman. Colin Linden here produces this unique, memorable Canadian songwriter on his third album. Linden provides slide, baritone, and other guitar work on the album. Like Linden, Bonneville is adept at incorporating blues styles into accessible pop gems. Recorded in Canada and Nashville, this album features mandolin maestro Tim O’Brien on “Canary Yellow Car” and the Band’s Rick Bell playing keyboards on five selections. Like the album, Bonneville is a constantly moving dual citizen of Canada and the United States. This broad base of experience reflects in an album featuring North American themes of pop, rock, and blues.” (https://www.allmusic.com/album/gust-of-wind-mw0000241323) Click here to check out the title song.
Early Times And The High Rollers – The Comer (Dealer’s Choice): “Early Times is a Blues Rock street poet, living in a gritty urban landscape spanning New York’s East Side street corners, bodegas, and the project park – populated by characters like Little Hustler, Uptown Charlie, Tijuana Madonna, Sweet Lou the Butcher, Ruby, Shakey, funky old Mabel, and of course Mary with her Cha Cha hat. Early and his High Rollers create moods so thick you could cut them with a chainsaw, and his incisive guitar playing is always spot on.” (https://www.bluestownmusic.nl/early-times-the-high-rollers-the-corner/) Early Times sings and plays guitar, keys and percussion and composed all of the songs on offer. Backing musicians include Joshua Keith (drums), Dan Schnapp (keys), Hardan Long-Johnson (bass) with Jay Messina (percussion), with special guests Popa Chubby (lead guitar on 1 song) and Colleen Massina adding vocals on “Charlemagne”. Click here to listen to “She’s About To Lose Her Mind” from this release.
Richard Ray Farrell – Three Pints Of Gin (Bluebeet): “Richard Ray Farrell, from Niagara Falls, NY (1956) is an American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, harmonica player and international recording artist. In 1976 Richard started busking and playing professionally in Paris, France. He is comfortable as a solo acoustic artist or fronting his own band on the electric guitar. Richard toured with American artists RL Burnside, Louisiana Red, Frank Frost, Big Jack Johnson, Lazy Lester and Big Boy Henry. Richard formed Farrell & Black in 1995 with Mothers of Invention drummer, Jimmy Carl Black. They produced two CD’s and toured internationally for seven years. Richard moved to Philadelphia in 2001, formed a band, and began performing with harp veteran Steve Guyger.” (https://www.richardrayfarrell.com/bio-english) Since that time he recorded and performed in Spain for several years. This is Farrell’s first acoustic release in several years. Farrell plays guitar and harmonica and sings. Twelve of the songs are originals and the covers include songs like Lonnie Johnson’s “”Last Woman Blues”, Fulton Allen’s “Funny Feeling Blues” and “He’s In The Jailhouse Now”. This is a fine set from end to end. Click here to listen to a live version of the opening song, “Juke Joint Swing”.
Joyann Parker – Out Of The Dark (Self-produced): “With roots in the church and a solid foundation of musical education, Joyann Parker found her authentic voice later in life and created her own blend of roots music that combines soul, R&B, gospel, jazz and traditional blues styles. Parker has been a steadily rising star on the Minneapolis music scene, and with the release of her critically-acclaimed solo debut record, “Hard To Love,” she is now bringing her full range of talent as an accomplished singer, pianist, guitarist and songwriter to national and international stages. Joyann’s rootsy, genre-blending sequel, “Out of the Dark,” is scheduled for release on February 12, 2021.” “a colorful musical tapestry woven by a consummate artist out of the warp and wool of jazz, soul and blues. Parker’s passionate vocals deliver what might be one of the best albums of the year so far.” (Living Blues Magazine) “There’s some serious singing and musicianship afoot here…she’s got the pipes and comes across honestly and passionately…on firmly planted ground singing the smoldering, slow-burning Stax-like ballads.” (Elmore Magazine) (https://joyannparker.com/epk). This is a certified Professor Bebop “Wax Devoid of Cracks”! Click here to check out “Carry On” from this release.
Dave Thomas – One More Mile (Blonde Blonde): “Dave Thomas has an international reputation as a blues artist. He is a veteran of the British Blues boom. He has played with The Blues Band and, by special invitation, for Paul McCartney. His guitar playing has been compared to BB King.” (https://davethomas2.bandcamp.com/) Thomas plays guitar and harmonica and sings on the first four songs and plays harmonica and sings on three others and sings on the remaining songs. Straight blues rock most of the way. Click here to listen to the songs on this disc.
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop
