New Blues News – 6/15/2018
New Blues News – 6/15/2018
Duck Baker – Les Blues du Richmond – Demos & Outtakes, 1973-1979 (Tomkins Square): Former Richmond resident, Duck Baker was in a rock band initially, but was drawn to the old ragtime style and moved forward from there. At the same time, Baker had a freer taste of music than the likes of many folkies. He finally landed a gig on the Kicking Mule label where his somewhat outside blues, folk, jazz-inflected accepted in truly positive way. The first six recordings were done in Richmond, VA in 1973, while the remainder were recorded in London between 1977-79. The music, shifting between vocals and instrumentals, is a splendid representation of Baker’s art. His is an infectious art. Click here and scroll way down to listen to samples from his disc.
Lurrie Bell & The Bell Dynasty – Tribute To Carey Bell (Delmark): It’s been thirteen years since Carey Bell passed away and not only did he treat us to over 30 years of stunning and inventive blues harmonica, he also introduced us to the rest of his musical family: Lurrie (vocals, guitar), Steve (harmonica), Tyson (bass) and James (vocals, drums). This is a tribute to the man and his music performed by his family and a few special guests: Charlie Musselwhite (harp on 1 song); Billy Branch (vocal , harmonica on 2 songs); Eddie Taylor Jr (guitar on 3 songs) and Sumito “Ariyo” Ariyoshi (piano on 3 songs). There is a lot of powerful blues laid down by this group and I can’t imagine a more fitting and wonderful tribute to one of the greatest bluesmen of all time. A certified Professor Bebop “Wax Devoid Of Cracks”! Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Tas Cru – Memphis Song (Subcat): Singer/songwriter/guitarist Tas Cru started his musical journey in Austin and seems to be planting deeper roots in Memphis. His sound is mostly laid back on this disc, but his easy going art is a mixture of Memphis with a jazzy style that shows that sometimes one simple or easy swinging run can be as effective as a string of sonic explosions from a blues rock explosion. Cru’s vocal style is laid back, almost talky, and he covers a number of themes, but mostly about love and the behaviors that can cause things to fall apart. Special guests Victor Wainwright (piano) and Pat Harrington (slide guitar) put a nice polish on the titles song and the other players keep it in a fine tone as well. Supporting musicians are Mary Ann Casale (vocals, acoustic guitar), Bob Purdy (bass), Dick Earl Erickson (harmonica), Andy Rudy (piano, clavichord), Donna Marie Floyd-Tritico and Patti Parks (backing vocals), Guy Nirelli (organ) with Bill Barry substituting on one song, and Sonny Rock, Ron Keck and Andy Hearn trading off on drums. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen – Break It Down (Self-produced): Pennsylvania based Dustin Douglas (guitar, vocals) and The Electric Gentlemen (Tommy Smallcome, drums and Matt “The Dane” Gabriel-Bass, bass) are a power rock band with a blues funk edge that is unique. This is their second release and the power of the instruments and vocals stands out in an infectious way. Douglas wrote all of the lyrics and the trio created the music. “Blues rock is often played badly but like any genre, there are those that can rise above the mediocrity and demonstrate a real flair. This album will give you only a glimpse of how strong this trio’s riveting live show is.” (Jim Hynes- Senior Writer – (Elmore Magazine) That pretty much sums it up! Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Russ Green – City Soul (Self-produced): This is harp player / singer / songwriter Russ Green’s first disc and he offers us a fresh and dynamic sound that is reminiscent of some works by Paul Butterfield and certainly states the influence of one of Green’s primary heroes, Sugar Blue. He also pays tribute to Billy Branch. Green’s modern and urban style is clearly in its own category. At the same time, there is an uptown but clearly “modern” Chicago flavor to most of these performances. The topics are varied but include poverty, homelessness, abuse and desperation and particularly modern aspects of relational and individual problems. Backing musicians include Giles Corey (guitar), Marvin Little (bass), Ricky Nelson (drums), Vince Agwada (slide guitar), Joe Monroe (Hammond B3), and a guest performance by Eric Bibb. Highly recommended. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Tom Hambridge – The NOLA Sessions (SuperStar Factory Productions): Drummer/songwriter/singer/producer Tom Hambridge has turned loose a killer disc recorded in New Orleans which opens with a song featuring the late Allen Toussaint (piano, vocal) and a gang of hard slamming and often funky originals, occasionally interrupted by a ballad. Special guests also include Sonny Landreth (4 songs) and Ivan Neville (2 songs). The sound is mostly explosive, atomic even, in the best possible fashion, giving way on occasion to a quiet ballad or so. Hambridge wrote or co-wrote everything and he sings with full, blasting commitment throughout. Other musicians on the disc are Max Moran, Tommy MacDonald and Calvin Turner, Jr (bass); John Fohl, Rob McNelley and Shane Theriot (guitar); Kevin McKendree (piano,B3), David Torkanowsky (piano, organ) and Ivan Neville (B3); backing singers Wendy Moten, SaRachel (aka Sarah and Rachel Hambridge) and the McCrary Sisters; Nathaniel Smith (cello) and The Naughty Horns (3 songs). A certified Professor Bebop “Wax Devoid Of Cracks”! Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Steve Krase Band – Just Waitin’ (Connor Ray): Steve Krase (harmonica, vocals) offers his third disc and it is an interesting melange of blues and country with a shade of rock & roll. It’s somewhat a throwback to the style of the folk/country/blues of the 60s before the influence of heavy rock set in. Krase lists as his influences “Blues, Pub Rock, Punk, Country, Glam, and Electronica…. Krase’s main musical influence is the J. Geils Band. (http://www.stevekrase.com/bio.html) The rest of the band are David Carter (guitar, baking vocals), Rock Romano (bass, biking vocals), Tamara Williams (drums, percussion, vocals), with guests James Gilmer (percussion(, Brian Jack (accordion), Mike Lee (rubboard) and Kenan Ozdemir (lead guitar on one song). Most of the songs are not originals, but they also cover very surprising songs like the country gem “Settin’ The Woods On Fire” and two relatively obscure Howlin’ Wolf songs and, strangest of all, “The Ballad Of Jed Clampett”! Bass player Romano offers three originals. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Various Artists – Tribute: Delmark’s 65th Anniversary (Delmark): Another great celebration, this time for the 65th anniversary of Chicago’s Delmark label, truly one of the giants in the blues world. The framework is to have blues artists who have recorded for the label from 2000 on to play songs to honor founder Bob Koester and artists who recorded for the label in the 1960s and 70s. For example, Jimmy Johnson and Dave Spector play on J.B. Hutto’s “Speak My Mind”, a song he wrote and performed on his album “Hawk Squat” released in 1968. The entire tone is respectful and marvelously performed. Other players included are Omar Coleman, Lurrie Bell, Linsey Alexander, Billy Flynn, Demetria Taylor, Jimmy Burns, Lil’ Ed, Dave Weld, Corey Dennison, Gerry Hundt, Mike Wheeler, Shirley Johnson and Ken Saydak honoring songs composed and performed by Junior Wells, Carey Bell, Jimmy Dawkins, Big Time Sarah, Big Joe Williams, J.B. Hutto, Magic Sam, Sleepy John Estes, Otis Rush, Bonnie Lee and Roosevelt Sykes. A certified Professor Bebop “Wax Devoid Of Cracks”! Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Wiley Bo Walker – Almost Transparent Blues (Self-produced): Gravely voiced singer/guitarist Wiley Bo Walker has released numerous discs in his career. He does work in a huge range of styles and plays a solid rock guitar. Certainly Walker’s major identifying characteristic is his voice and style, seemingly borrowed from Tom Waits, but Walker’s style is often more of a howl than Waits’. He wrote or co-wrote everything on this disc. Click here to listen to a song included on this disc.
Mark Wenner’s Blues Warriors – Mark Wenner’s Blues Warriors (EllerSoul): Blues long-time blues harp giant Mark Wenner has moved beyond the Nighthawks, but he has assembled a group of blues warriors that absolutely burn the house down! This is the straight up BLUES with the seeds of rock’n’roll in full evidence without resorting to the rock excess music that is at the center of much electric blues today. In addition to Wenner, the band includes Clarence “The Bossman” Turner (guitar, vocals), Mark Stutso (drums, vocals), Zach Sweeney (guitar) and Steve Wolf (bass). A certified Professor Bebop “Wax Devoid Of Cracks”! I regret I am unable to find a sample from this release.
Luke Winslow-King – Blue Mesa (Bloodshot): This appears to be Winslow-King’s second release. He was born in Michigan and now resides in New Orleans. There is a rather easy going aspect to his music, but I don’t hear a significant influence from the key aspects of NOLA music. At the same time, he does have an easy going delivery and a light-hearted approach that certainly harks back to NOLA stars like Bobby Charles. The music is a mix of blues, folk music, traditional jazz, and roots rock & roll with the emphasis on “roll”. At the same time, the music sounds more modern than retro. The shifting supporting musicians are Roberto Luti (guitar), Chris Davis (drums), Christian Carpenter (bass), Mike Lynch (Hammond organ, Wurlitzer), Fender Rhodes, piano, accordion), Matt Rhody (violin), Jen Sygit and Laura Bates Lerman (backing vocals), Mike Shimmin (percussion), Ben Polcer (trumpet), Etienne Jean Stoufflet (tenor sax) and Dominick Grillo (bari sax). Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the first two songs on the list and this disc.
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop
