New Blues Review 11-5-24
By Jack Roy
Randy Mcallister – Lines (Reaction Records)
Bio – “Raised in the small Texas town of Novice, McAllister is a 5th generation Texan, whose father was both a fireman and musician. His father was a drummer in a band called, “The Flames.” Randy sometimes went to his house parties and rehearsals and would sit in on the drums. He eventually bought his first drum kit in the 5th grade for $40.00 which he had earned mowing lawns. From that time on if he wasn’t fishing or hanging out in the country with his buddies he would be found locked in his room singing and playing, but the drums were just the beginning for Randy. McAllister found the harmonica in his early 20’s while stationed in Massachusetts as a member of the U.S. Air Force. Taking cues from Blues Legend “Earring George” Mayweather, a Boston resident and harmonica master, McAllister moved to Alaska in 1989 where he spent the next 3 years playing in various bands. He moved back to Texas in 1992, a strong, skillful harp player who was also establishing a reputation as a vocalist and a songwriter. When he moved back to Texas, he struck-up friendships with Mike Morgan, Andrew Jr. Boy Jones and Robin Sylar. Randy would occasionally front Mike Morgan’s band (The Crawl) playing harmonica and singing. Mike would also fill-in playing guitar in Randy’s band. Randy and Andrew Jr. Boy Jones (Charlie Musselwhite, Katie Webster, Freddie King) also worked together during that time. In the late 90’s while Andrew was signed with British label JSP Records, he approached label owner John Steadman about Randy. Randy was soon signed with JSP Records and went on to release 4 CD’s with the label. The first CD was produced by Andrew and also featured him on guitar. Randy also spent a lot of the 90’s playing with Robin Sylar (Doyle Bramhall, George Harmonica Smith and Stevie Ray Vaughn). Randy eventually went on to release CD’s on Severn Records (with Mike Morgan) and Reaction Records.Roustabout, maverick, spiritual, gritty, amazing, genius, wild, bad-ass, soulful… These are some of the words used to describe this Texas bonafide blue blood. A much revered, singer, songwriter, harmonica player and drummer. East Texas roadhouse soul by one of America’s true blues/roots originals. ”
Review – Randy has a decent voice and is a mult-instrumentalist! I probably wouldn’t classify this CD as Blues, but there are a lot of good Blues feeling through the album like “Surprise!!”, a good Texas shuffle tune. The band consists of Randy on Vocals, Drums and Harmonica, Howard Mahan on Guitar, Paul Greenlease on Bass, Vivio Jojo on Drums and Jack Mcallister on background vocals. Some of the tunes that stood out were “Donnie Downer, “Face First” and “Best Patch of Grass”. I think my favorite is “No Conductor”, listen here. I will give this an 8 on Blues Content and an 8 on Music Content.
Ric Harris and The Heat Merchants – Along The Avenue (Come Feel The Heat)
Bio – “By moving from North Carolina to Chicago, Ric Harris pursued a desire to play music and went from learning jazz to playing the blues. Along the way, Ric found the joy of writing songs more rewarding, allowing him to complete the thoughts that he started while improvising. The music of Robben Ford, Matt Schofield, and Tommy Castro influenced Ric, not only in his guitar solos, but also his vocals. An article in Guitar Player magazine about the Old Town School of Folk Music inspired Ric to make his way to Chicago from North Carolina. A few months later, he caught Ira Sullivan and Joe Diorio at the Jazz Showcase and moved to Los Angeles to attend the Musicians Institute. After returning to Chicago, Ric played jazz in the area until 1991, at which time he stopped and raised his children. When he returned to the music scene, Ric had a new approach, inspired by artists such as Gary Moore, Dickey Betts, and Tab Benoit. ”
Review – Instrumentally, the CD is not bad. Vocally, it is a disaster. Having a hard time listening to this one! Band consists of Ric Harris on Guitar and Vocals, Steve Kostakes on Keyboard (pretty good), Danny Gomez on Bass, Stan Karcz on Accordion and Background Singers Andra Miologos and Bree Gordon. I really don’t have any that I would want to listen to again, so maybe someone out there would like this CD. I will give this a 7 on Blues Content and a 3 on Music Content.
Lower Case Blues –Take It For A Ride (Self Produced)
Bio – “Lower Case Blues moved to the beach 20 years ago, when they were 20 years old. Down here, nobody had heard of them, but up north in New Castle County, they were already making a name for themselves and attracting long-term fans. Their name, incidentally, was suggested by one of their high school teachers, and it stuck. In October 2003, they drove to Lewes for an open-mic night. Immediately, their talent was recognized, and they were booked for an upcoming street festival in Rehoboth. Since then, LCB, as the band is known, has made their living as full-time professional musicians, playing a mix of blues, funk and rock, using Rehoboth as their regional base.”
Review – This one was a pleasant surprise to me as I have never listened to this band. A great Trio of good funky Blues!! Band consists of Jake Banaszak on Guitar, BJ Muntz on Bass and Vocals and Tristan Gilbert on Drums and Vocals. Solid writing (all songs written by the band) and great lead guitar! Some of the highlights are “Wichoo”, “Take It For A Ride” and “Blues No More”. I think my favorite is “Be There Soon”, listen here. I will give this a 9 on Blues Content and a 9 on Music Content.
Rob Moore – Chicago Dog (Flood Records)
Bio – “Rob has been an active blues artist since high school. By the time he was 19, he was meeting and sitting in with some of the greatest legends of the blues including Muddy Waters, Otis Rush, and Sam Lay. After several years he began working extensively with Wild Child Butler and Little Bobby Neely. In addition, he led his own bands and did frequent work as a sideman. In 1979 Rob did a tour with John Lee Hooker when the Boogieman’s regular guitarist was not available. In the early 80’s Rob returned to college, completed two degrees in education, and moved to Miami. He became a professor at Miami Dade College, teaching in 3 subject areas including blues and jazz history in his humanities classes. For some 11 years he led a band that featured South Florida favorite Clifford Hawkins. They played a circuit from Daytona to Key West and released the 1997 album “Eye of the Storm” that received extensive airplay in South Florida. Wild Boar retired from teaching in 2017 and moved back to Chicago. He did some gigs as a sideman before focusing on performing his own material. Rob was a regular at Rewired Café for 2 ½ until a fire destroyed the room. He can be seen at various clubs on Chicago’s north side including Aura Beach Café where he appears regularly throughout the summer. Rob “Wild Boar” Moore is available for gigs locally, nationally and internationally. ”
Review – This is another one where the Band is actually pretty good, arrangement of songs are great, Voice is tough on these ears. Every songs starts out pretty good, really enjoying it and then the vocals start. The Band consists mainly of Rob Moore on Lead Guitar and Vocals, Vince Salerno on Sax and Harmonica, Thomas Linsk on Keys, Harlan Terson on Bass, Mike Shlick and Merle Perkins on Drums and lots of other guest musicians, but no guest Vocalist!! Another one that I will just leave it here, but I will give this an 8 on Blues Content and a 3 on Music Content.
Bobby Hurricane Spencer and Jeff Dale – The Hurricane Dale Thang (Pro Sho Bidness)
Bio – ““The Hurricane Dale Thang” is a powerful combination of blues talent, making its live debut in 2018 when longtime friends Jeff Dale and Bobby Hurricane Spencer were joined by L.A. superstar musicians Elizabeth Hangan on bass and Albert Trepagnier Jr on drums. Jeff had a batch of songs he had written that felt like they needed other voices to connect with and he enlisted Bobby, Elizabeth, and Albert to take possession of them. Augmented by keyboard wizard Derek Phillips from Jeff’s South Woodlawners band and with other stellar L.A. musicians such as Lester Lands, Pat Zicari and Jim Jedeikin adding to the mix, the Hurricane Dale Thang touched down and blew audiences away. While initially preparing to record the debut Hurricane Dale Thang album, tragedy struck. Bobby had a massive stroke in 2019 followed by several more medical complications the following year that hospitalized him again. With the unrelenting encouragement Bobby received from his wife Retha, he began the long hard climb to get his playing and singing chops back. There were no guarantees that he would ever be able to perform again but Bobby persisted, working every day to get better. Miraculously, after several years of doggedly trying, Bobby began to perform again. This re-opened the door for The Hurricane Dale recording project to finally be realized.”
Review – Bobby Spencer has that low, sometimes not in tune voice that just seems to work. Kind of like the old bluesman from SC, Drink Small. The second vocalist for this band is really great, Elizabeth Hangan! She also plays bass. Jeff Dale also sings and has a decent voice, but is out shined by Bobby and Elizabeth on this CD. The band is tight and legit to these ears, they include Bobby Hurricane Spencer on Saxophone on vocals, Jeff Dale on Guitar and Vocals, Elizabeth Hangan on Bass and Vocals, Derek Phillips on Keys and albert Trepagnier Jr on Drums and Vocals. The highlight for vocals is their guest Vocalist and Guitarist, Lester Lands. Songs that stood out to me were “I Really Don’t Care”, “Only Girl For Me” and “Seconds Before It Starts To Rain”, but I think my favorite is “Two Paychecks From The Street” with Lester Lands on Guitar and vocals, listen here. I will give this a 9 on Blues Content and a 9 on Music Content.
