New Blues Review 4-22-25
By Jack Roy
Sean Chambers – Live From Daryl’s House Club (Quarto Valley Records)
Bio – “Sean Chambers began his career in 1998 as the guitarist and bandleader for the legendary Hubert Sumlin, with whom he toured regularly until 2003. The British magazine Guitarist described him as “one of the top 50 blues guitarists of the last century.” His guitar-driven blues rock is reminiscent of greats like Gary Moore and Jeff Healey, earning him an induction into the Florida Music Hall of Fame. His first solo album, Ten Til Midnight, spent over three months on the US Blues Charts right out of the gate. The follow-up live album, Live from the Long Island Blues Warehouse, received rave reviews and was awarded the Best Blues Album of 2011, among other accolades. His eighth studio album, That’s What I’m Talkin About, was released in 2020 as a tribute to his mentor, the late Hubert Sumlin. In 2023, shortly after the death of Savoy Brown’s founder, Kim Simmonds, Chambers teamed up with Savoy Brown’s rhythm section, featuring Pat De Salvo on bass and Garnet Grimm on drums. Chambers and the members of Savoy Brown had become friends during a shared festival performance in 2019. Since both Sean Chambers and Savoy Brown are signed to the same record label, Quarto Valley Records, the collaboration felt natural to all three musicians. Kim Simmonds himself fully supported the trio, giving them his blessing shortly before his death on December 13, 2022.”
Review – This is a wonderful Blues/Rock live album with all the energy that Sean brings. He is such an incredible guitarist, performer, singer and front man. For a live album, this recording is so well done. Backed by the Savoy Brown Rhythm Section consisting of Pat Desalvo on Bass and Garnet Frimm on Drums. CD starts off with a full energy, 100 MPH rock flying through space instrumental showcasing Sean’s amazing guitar presence. Every song is a gem for this recording with some of Sean’s greatest hits from other albums and recordings. Notables include Rory Gallagher’s “Bullfrog Blues”, “Trouble & Whiskey” and Muddy Waters’ “Louisiana Blues” but I think my favorite is “Red Hot Mama″, a great slide guitar tune. This example is not from the album but from another live recording, listen here. I will give this a 10+ on Blues Content and a 10+ on Music Content.
Fran Drew and the Lucky Strikes – Trial By Fire (Shakey Buddha)
Bio – “Fran Drew and the Lucky Strikes — think Peg Bundy meets Lou Ann Barton. It’s sass colliding with the raw, bluesy power of Texas roots rock. Frontwoman Fran Drew leads the charge with powerhouse vocals that hit hard and shake hips. She’s got a voice that can turn a slow burn into a full-blown fire, delivering soul and grit like she’s been around the block a few times—and she probably has. First singing on the street corners of the New Orleans French Quarter as a teenager and later in a local gospel band, Fran found her passion and calling. After honing her skills at open mics she fronted a swing blues band before forming her own combo The Lucky Strikes. Her acoustic duo, Mad Max and the Hootchie Cootchie Gal entertain with ‘Roots Blues and Bawdy Ballads’ during the warmer months at outdoor events. Backing her up are seasoned musicians who know their way around a groove: Gene Donaldson – Connecticut Blues Hall of Fame Artist, has been performing with numerous musical acts since the 70’s including Phil Guy, LeeShot Williams, Johnny Rawls, Mary Taylor and The Motown Revue as well as his own band The Stingrays. As a solo artist he covers a wide range of musical genres and artists. Donaldson slings a guitar with sharp precision, bringing a gritty edge to the band’s sound. Dennis Cotton on drums keeps things tight and steady, but knows when to lay down a beat that’ll make your feet move without you even realizing it. Dennis has recorded over 35 albums and toured worldwide as a member of the British Blues/Rock group Savoy Brown, as well as Commander Cody, Duke Robillard, and The British Blues All-Stars. Max Samson on bass, holding down the low end with a solid, thumping presence that fills out the band’s rich, full sound. Max competed in the IBC in Memphis in 2018 with the band EasyBaby. He gigs in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island on a regular basis with the Rich Badowski Blues Band as well as house bass player every Monday with the Whip City Allstars. During the warmer weather he might be spotted busking with Mad Max and the Hoochie Coochie Gal, an acoustic duo. He also subbed for many of the Ct area Blues Bands. Together, the Lucky Strikes weave a mix of rock, blues, and funk-infused grooves that’ll make you want to shimmy and shake—whether you’re in a honky-tonk bar or cruising down a dusty highway. It’s a blend of power, attitude, and musical mastery that’ll leave you with a permanent bounce in your step.”
Review – This is the first time hearing Fran Drew and the Lucky Strikes and I am very impressed. Fran is incredible and her backing band is so good. Band core is Gene Donaldson on Guitar, Max Samson on Bass and Dennis Cotton on Drums. This album also includes a lot of guest musicians including Rich Badowski on Harmonica, Sax Gordon and Matt Parker on Horns, Jeff Bousfield on Keys and Steve Isherwood, Brandt Taylor and Richiman on Guitar. This band has a kind of West Coast Blues Feel in their delivery of these 12 songs. Some that stood up well to me were “Neighbor Neighbor”, “Roll With Me Henry” and a great rendition of “The Hunter”. I think my favorite is Memphis Minnie’s “Chauffer Blues″, really great song that Drew sings very well, listen here. I will give this a 10 on Blues Content and a 10+ on Music Content.
Mike Dangeroux – Empty Chair (Self Produced)
Bio – “Mike Dangeroux has long been recognized for his contributions to the Chicago blues scene, sharing the stage with notables Koko Taylor, Mississippi Heat, J.W. Williams, Nellie Tiger Travis, and Buddy Guy. Previous recordings include “Crosstown Blues” and “It’s About Time,” the latter with Mississippi Heat’s Inetta Visor and keyboardist Vince Varco. Mike was born in Chicago Illinois. Mike graduated from the Berklee College of Music. He has been hailed as one of the top guitarists in the world. He performs a variety of musical genres, from classics to contemporary hits. His band offers over 500 popular songs in their repertoire along with original work.”
Review – I have to say I was expecting a little more from this one. Six song CD that seems a little lethargic. I have seen videos of Mike and there is usually an impressive energy found with his music. This whole recording just seems to be really off to me. Solos were super simple and even feel out of time. But I really like Mike’s voice and his guitar playing has been better. CD was definitely multi tracked with Mike playing Guitar and Bass on this recording. Including is Daron Casper Walker on Drums and Vincent Varco on Keys. Not a huge fan of this one, I think Mike just called this one in. So I think my favorite is “Empty Chair″, listen here. I will give this an 8 on Blues Content and an 8 on Music Content.
Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Young Fashioned Ways (Deep Rush Records)
Bio – “Bobby Rush -3x GRAMMY winning legend, Blues Hall of Famer, six-time Grammy nominee, and 18-time Blues Music Award winner, with cameo in the Netflix original Dolemite Is My Name starring Eddie Murphy, and a recent Autobiography . During his renowned stage show Bobby Rush frequently jumps high into the air, arms spread and legs tucked, only to land gracefully and return without a hitch to his dazzling routine. It’s a move you might expect at a contemporary R&B show, but it’s downright shocking when you realize that Rush is in his late 80s. “I never thought I would be here this long,” says Rush. “I was 83 years old before I won a Grammy, but it’s better late than never. I laugh about it, but I’m so blessed and I surely never thought I’d be making a living doing what I’m doing. I’m not just an old guy on my way out.” Hardly. Rush’s busy schedule includes headlining European festivals with his band and solo programs at venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center, and he just recorded an album of brand new material, All My Love For You, coming out via his own label Deep Rush Records in collaboration with Nashville-based Thirty Tigers. Over the last several years he’s won a second Grammy, re-recorded his 1971 hit Chicken Heads together with his old friend Buddy Guy and young blues star Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, and written a critically acclaimed autobiography, I Ain’t Studdin’ You: My American Blues Story. That story began in rural Homer/Haynesville, Louisiana, where Rush—born Emmett Ellis, Jr.—grew up on his family’s farm picking cotton, tending to mules and chickens, and living in a home without electricity nor indoor plumbing. He built his first guitar on the side of the family’s house out of broom wire, nails, bottles and bricks.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Put an ear to the door of FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, back in late 2019 and you’d have heard it. The first stirrings of a new studio album from the man who pulled American roots into the 21st century. Melodies forming, riffs taking shape, grooves building, stories of loss and redemption spun by a crack team of sympatico songwriters. The road from that first writing session to the finished copy of Dirt On My Diamonds you hold in your hands, smiles Kenny Wayne Shepherd, has been quite a ride. “Every record I make is a moment in time. And this is a really special moment.” Since the release of his debut album, 1995’s Ledbetter Heights, this Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum bandleader still sounds like the future of the blues. Approach Dirt On My Diamonds expecting autopilot twelve-bars and you’ll instead be thrown a volley of curveballs, from the modern urban edge of Sweet & Low and Best Of Times’ socio-political observations to the speaker-tearing production from Shepherd and his partner-in-sound of recent years, Marshall Altman. “Working with Marshall, it’s like any productive relationship,” considers the guitarist. “We put our strengths together and push each other.” Throughout, as the album title suggests, the grit and emotional honesty of these new songs is prized above guitar pyrotechnics (even for one of the modern scene’s most valuable players). Of the Dirt On My Diamonds’ guiding philosophy, “Life has imperfections, and I actually prefer it that way. The imperfections are what make it interesting.” Since his birth in North Louisiana, in 1977, Shepherd’s own life has never followed the script. Steeped in classic blues and rock ‘n’ roll from an early age by his dad – a respected Louisiana radio personality and promoter – the kid soon reached for his first Fender Stratocaster and found he didn’t require lessons to make it cry and wail. Long before Warner Brothers subsidiary Giant Records offered a deal, Shepherd had clocked up countless miles on a merciless touring schedule of clubs he was still too young to drink in. “For the first five years,” he says, “I was on the road non-stop.”
Review – Now this is the way to finish up a week of listening to New Blues!! A classic Voice of Bobby Rush and the musical genius of Kenny Wayne Shepherd equals an incredible album of great old school Blues Tunes. This CD has it all, starts off with a killer tune “Who Was That”, rocking blues at it’s best. Then the duo follows that up with a cut back song “40 Acres” with Kenny keeping a cool Delta riff while Bobby sings his heart out. Band consists of Steve Potts on Drums, Charles Hodges on Keys, Darryl Pruitt on Bass, Doug Woolverton on Trumpet and Charlie Di Puma on Sax. All the songs are incredible including tunes like “Uncle Esau”, “Long Way From Home” and “Young Ways” but my favorite is “What She Said″, a great down home shuffle that you would expect in any Juke Joint in Mississippi, listen here. I will give this a 10++ on Blues Content and a 10++ on Music Content.
