New Blues Review – 10/8/2024
By Jack Roy
Vaneese Thomas – Stories In Blue (Sun Records)
Bio – “Born in Memphis Tennessee, Vaneese is the daughter of Rufus Thomas, whose legendary career as a musician and entertainer began in Vaudeville and spanned more than half a century in R&B recording and radio. Her older siblings are the hit recording artist “Memphis Queen” Carla Thomas and the highly respected keyboardist Marvell Thomas (R.I.P.). Embracing this remarkable musical legacy, Vaneese carries forward the rich heritage of Memphis soul and R&B; music that has touched generations and crossed many divides. At the same time, she has combined all the influences of her background and experience – R&B, gospel, blues, and jazz – to cultivate a soul-stirring style that’s all her own. Highly regarded within the music industry, Vaneese’s talents as a singer, songwriter, producer, and actor have made her a sought-after solo performer as well as a first-call vocalist for projects by other top-name artists. She has worked with the renowned recording producer Phil Ramone and has sung with an astonishing array of internationally known performers including Luciano Pavarotti, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen to name a few. Vaneese has sung with the Baltimore and Colorado Symphonies in “Too Hot to Handel” under the baton of Marin Alsop and at Several Pavarotti & Friends concerts in Modena, Italy; The Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland; The Michael Jackson & Friends concerts with Luther Vandross in Seoul, Korea, and Munich, Germany, and soul music festivals in Porretta, Narni, and Perugia, Italy.”
Review – Wow what a voice!! This is my first time listening to Vaneese, but won’t be the last. Seven original tunes that float between Soul, Blues and Gospel. With an amazing backing band including Ross Pederson on Drums, Paul Adamy on Bass, Al Orlo on Guitars, Dave Keyes on Keys, Vaneese on Vocal and Electric Piano, and a great stack of horn players. I think my favorite on this CD is “End Of The Road”, this a cappella tune that is superb, listen here. My only negative comment is that it is only 7 song CD, I will give this a 10 on Blues Content and a 10+ on Music Content.
Ronnie Baker Brooks – Blues In My DNA (Sun Records)
Bio – “Ronnie Baker Brooks was born in 1967 in Chicago. He received his first guitar from his famous father at age nine and learned the instrument as he got older, sharing his time between playing basketball and focusing on his music. After high school, he joined his father’s band – as a roadie. He earned his way slowly up the ladder, listening, watching and learning. At one show, Koko Taylor pulled him aside as he was loading the gear into the van and told him, “You learn from your daddy everything you can. And one day, it’ll be up to you to carry the blues forward.” Lonnie eventually allowed Ronnie to play bass with the band before bringing him on as his full-time second guitarist. Ronnie made his recording debut on Lonnie’s Live From Chicago: Bayou Lightning Strikes album in 1988. In 1991, he hit the road as part of The Alligator Records 20th Anniversary Tour band, backing Lonnie, Elvin Bishop, and Katie Webster. Each night, he’d join them, along with Koko Taylor and Lil’ Ed Williams, for unforgettable blues jams. In the summer of 1993, Ronnie joined Lonnie, Koko and Junior Wells for the B.B. King Blues Festival Tour, traveling the country. He watched King perform again and again. One night after the show, King told Ronnie, “Son, I’m watching you watch me. You learn everything you can from all of us, especially your dad. He’s as good as me or better; we just have different styles.” Ronnie performed with his father for 12 years, gaining valuable experience and sharing stages with artists including Taj Mahal, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, and many others. During this time, his guitar skills continued to grow along with his songwriting and performing confidence.”
Review – Alrighty, we have a really great Blues CD here!! Ronnie really kills on these 12 original tunes and done with such mastery that only he can do. What I call that classic old time screaming blues techniques that is perfect in many places on this album. Ronnie has the best behind him for this one including Will McFarlane on Rhythm Guitar, Dave Smith on Bass and Steve Potts on Drums, Rick Steff on Keys, Clayton Ivey on B3 and Brad Quinn and Drew White on horns. First tune, “I’m Feeling You” reminds me of Chris Duarte guitar style, so good. Ronnie slows things down with his tune “Accept My Love” that really showcases his voice. The rest of the tunes are amazing but I think my favorite on this CD is “Stuck On Stupid”, couldn’t find the cd version but here is alive version that is gold!!, listen here. I will give this a 10+ on Blues Content and a 10+ on Music Content.
JD Simo & Luther Dickinson – Do The Rump! (Sun Records)
Bio – “JD Simo… The Chicago-born, now Nashville transplant is like a one-man crusade dedicated to keeping music real, raw, and honest. No matter the setting and no matter his role (whether it’s wingman or bandleader). J.D.’s presence infuses the situation of the moment with the music that’s been fueling him pretty much his whole life, spiced with influences that straddle both decades and dimensions.As a songwriter, guitarist, and producer he has worked with the likes of Jack White, Tommy Emmanuel, Luther Dickinson, Dave Cobb, Blackberry Smoke, and even been a member of Grateful Dead founder Phil Lesh’ “Phil & Friends”. During lockdown in ’20, he started cutting tracks in his makeshift studio on a weekly basis. Joined by longtime collaborator Adam Abrashoff on drums and the addition of longtime friend, bassist-producer-engineer Adam Bednarik (Justin Townes Earle), they mused a proverbial soup of shared influences. Hill country trance blues of Junior Kimbrough, RL Burnside and Asie Payton. Hypnotic Afro Beat of Fela Kuti and Tony Allen. Psychedelic warps of Captain Beefheart, Funkadelic, and Jimi Hendrix. The old school blues of John Lee Hooker, Earl Hooker and Lightnin’ Hopkins. As well as the raw fuzzy rock of The Stooges and Nirvana. Luther Dickinson was born in West Tennessee to Mary Lindsay and Jim Dickinson, a Memphis record producer. Dickinson grew up playing concerts and gaining recording experience with his father and brother, Cody. The family moved to the hills of North Mississippi in 1985. Dickinson made his recording debut in 1987, playing a metal-influenced guitar solo on “Shooting Dirty Pool” on The Replacements’ album Pleased to Meet Me, which his father was producing. Dickinson befriended the musical families of Otha Turner, R. L. Burnside, and Junior Kimbrough. They were the inspiration for Luther and Cody Dickinson to form the North Mississippi Allstars in 1996. The North Mississippi Allstars have been nominated for three Grammy Awards in the Best Contemporary Blues category. Dickinson produced two records on Otha Turner, Everybody Hollerin’ Goat and From Senegal To Senatobia. In November 2007 Dickinson joined The Black Crowes. His recording debut with the band was on Warpaint in 2008, and he has since appeared on the 2009 Black Crowes release Before the Frost…Until the Freeze. Dickinson decided not to join The Black Crowes for their 2013 tour. Dickinson currently tours with the North Mississippi Allstars and as a member of the Southern Soul Assembly.”
Review – I am a huge fan of Luther Dickinson and I wanted to like this CD so bad, but it really doesn’t click in my brain. It has gotten better the more I listen to it though. Drums on all the songs are techno beats, almost sound electronical. Covering a lot of cool songs like, “Do The Romp” and “Lonesome Road” by Junior Kimbrough, “Come And Go With Me” and “Serves me right To Suffer” by John Lee Hooker and even a tune by Rl Burnside and JJ Cale. But it fell short for me this time, but I think my favorite on this CD is “Come On”, Written by JD and Luther, listen here. I will give this a 9 on Blues Content and an 8 on Music Content. I expect after I listen to this a few more times that my rating will go up!!
J.P. Reali – Blues Since Birth (Sun Records)
Bio – “A veteran of the DC music scene for almost thirty years, J.P. Reali has played in numerous venues throughout the city. From his days as the lead guitar player in the psychedelic blues band The Next Step in the 1980’s, to his days as half of the acoustic blues/roots duo The Reali Brothers in the 1990’s, through his current solo career, J.P.’s playing has electrified listeners. He has performed extensively throughout the east coast, and spent 16 weeks in residence in Japan thrilling listeners with his musical prowess. In April 2007, J.P. released his long-awaited solo acoustic blues debut recording “Cold Steel Blues.” The album, which features nine originals and six cover songs by such blues greats as Robert Johnson and Reverend Gary Davis, showcases J.P.’s proficiency in both the delta and piedmont styles. The independent recording was well received by local “guide to fun” magazine On Tap. While J.P.’s repertoire is steeped in the traditions of Piedmont and Delta blues and includes such classics songs as Statesboro Blues, and Walkin’ Blues, it also showcases his original blues compositions in a conscious effort to keep these traditional styles alive in the 21st century.”
Review – This is another artist I have not heard of before, seems like a decent album. I love the music, love the instrumentation, but not a fan of the voice or the song writing. Looks like JP wrote all the songs for this album, lyrics to me are just so so. JP is a multi-instrumentalist as he is Singing, Playing Guitar, Harmonica, Bass, Piano and Banjo even on one tune. The other members in the band include Josh Borden on Keys, Gill Glass on Bass, Jim Larson on Drums and Mandolin. I think he was going for whimsical lyrics but kind of falls short, so I really don’t have a favorite on this album. I will give this an 8 on Blues Content and a 7 on Music Content.
Bruce Katz Band – Back In Boston Live (Sun Records)
Bio – “Bruce Katz is a legendary keyboardist (Hammond B3 and Piano) who has released 12 albums as a leader and has appeared on over 75 other CDs with the likes of John Hammond, Delbert McClinton, Ronnie Earl, Little Milton, Butch Trucks, Duke Robillard, David “Fathead” Newman, and many, many others. He has also had a strong musical connection with the Allman Brothers Band, and was a member of Gregg Allman’s band for six years (2007-2013), Jamoe’s Jasssz Band (2010-2015), Butch Trucks’ Freight Train Band and Les Brers (2015-2017). Bruce also occasionally toured with the Allman Brothers as well. Bruce is a seven-time (2008, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2019, 2020,2021) Nominee for the Blues Music Award (W.C. Handy Award) for “Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year”, selected by the Blues Foundation of Memphis, TN. He won the BMA for Acoustic Blues Album of the Year in 2019 for his collaboration with Joe Louis Walker and Giles Robson for Journeys to the Heart of the Blues and is nominated again in 2020 for the same award for his acoustic piano album Solo Ride. He was also nominated for “Outstanding Musician (Keyboards)” by Living Blues Magazine in 2015 and 2019.”
Review – If you like B3 and rocking Piano Blues, your going to love this album from one of top Keys players in the Blues/Rock arena. All recorded live at The Fallout Shelter in Norwood Mass. Bruce Katz driving the band with his Piano, but the B3 stuff is gold, Aaron Lieberman on Guitar and Vocals (Most songs on this CD are Instrumental), Liviu Pop on Drums and Jesse Williams on Bass. The ones that Aaron sings on seem to be the more Bluesy tunes and are my favorites of the CD. I think my pick on this CD is “In memory of Elizabeth Reed”, just because they kill it and it’s a favorite tune of mine, listen here. I will give this a 10 on Blues Content and a 10+ on Music Content.
