New Blues News – 7/11/2016
By Dave Rogers
New Blues News – 7/11/2016
The Paul Deslauriers Band – Relentless (Self-produced): Montreal blues rock trio featuring Deslauriers on guitar and vocals, (piano, theremin, too); Greg Morency (bass); and Sam Harrison (drums) with nine new originals. The songs are a straight-forward blend with a good solid blues foundation that only gives way to Deslauriers’ fiery solos. His vocals are solid and just under a shout and can be quite full. There is a bit of variety, but this is blues rock throughout. This disc is the band’s second. Click here to sample all of the songs on the disc.
Mick Kolassa – Taylor Made Blues (Self-produced): On his webpage, Mick Kolassa states, “I am a lifelong musician and hardcore blues fan who also happens to be on the Board of Directors of the Blues Foundation. My love of the blues began 50 years ago and with this and my previous album I am able to share that love with you.” He’s pretty laid back on this disc of mostly original songs, striking the pose of the old man holding forth and sharing his thoughts about life. He has musical support from Jeff Jensen, Colin John, and Castro Coleman (guitar); Bill Ruffino (bass); James Cunningham (drums); Chris Stephenson and Victor Wainwright (keys); Eric Hughes (harp); and Deb Landolt, Reba Russell, and Tullie Brae (backing vocals). BTW, Kolassa is donating the profits from this disc to the Blues Foundation. Laid back and a really nice time down in Taylor, Ms, the man’s home town. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Mike Sponza – Ergo Sum (Self-produced): Guitarist/singer/songwriter Mike Sponza has created an intriguing melding of blues with the poems of Catullius, Horatius from the way back to show case the continuity of expressions of the human condition. In his words, “I’ve discovered there’s a “trait d’union” between ancient poems of Catullus, Horatius, Martialis, Juvenilis and the lyrics of Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters and Bob Dylan.” He describes this work as mixing classic with the “counter culture” of blues and rock’n’roll. Starting with “Modus in rebus” (Horatius), we get some solid blues and rockin’ blues translations or, more accurately, retelling of these classic descriptions of the human condition. Sponza’s raspy vocal and the soulful and direct musical background add significantly to the success of the performance. Music provided by Mike Sponza and Ian Siegal (vocal, guitar), Dana Gillespie (guest vocal), Matej Kuzel (tenor sax), Chris Storr (trumpet), Dean Ross (keys), Mauro Tolot (bass), Moreno Buttoner (drums), and Rob Cass (backing vocals, percussions). BTW, Sponza has previously recorded with Bob Margolin and Duke Robillard. Click here to listen to a song from this disc. … and this video is too good to miss so click here.
Eddie Turner & The Trouble Twins – Naked…In Your Face (7-14): Guitarist/singer Eddie Turner began his music career with Tracey Nelson & Mother Earth in the 70’s and later moved to Denver where he was a member of Zephyr, until the band’s lead singer died. He left the music world for some time, but returned as a member of Otis Taylor’s band and recorded on several of their early releases. He certainly shares Taylor’s proclivity for the “trance” style and though his own work is certainly different, it is hypnotic. This disc was recorded live at the “Blues Can” in Calgary, Alberta. Turner is accompanied by Anna Lisa Hughes (bass, vocals) and Kelly Kruse (drums). With the exception of “Buried Alive With The Blues” and “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”, all songs are originals. Hughes’ vocals are throaty and somewhat a whispered rasp and are especially terrific on “Buried Alive”. Turner can bring amazing intensity without the histrionics so prevalent today to his guitar. A case in point is the mellow-esque Hendrix influenced closing number: Click here to listen to sample recordings. I’d recommend playing “Rise” as it is both on this disc and most representative of the tone of the disc.
Various Artists – Blues Party (Putumayo): This is party done up “Putumayo” style: a release full of genuine or authentic music samples connected to a theme. What makes these blues authentic? Currie Bell; Albert King; a quartet of James Cotton, Junior Wells, Carey Bell, and Billy Branch; Magic Sam; lesser known folks like Johnny “Big Moose” Walker, Katie Webster, and Big Jack Johnson; and a reach into less traveled blues land with Fernest Arceneaux & His Louisiana French Band; and don’t forget Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown! A blues party doesn’t necessarily mean all the songs are happy, but it usually does mean music that will help you put your blues out of the door. This sampler will sure do that. Click here and scroll down to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop