New Blues Review 6-3-25
By Jack Roy
Jay Lang – Blues Vol. 1 (Self Produced)
Bio – “Jay Lang is a Mississippi native that has spent most of his life exploring, performing, and writing southern roots music. Growing up in the Mississippi Delta, his earliest musical memories are from attending local blues festivals with the likes of T-Modle Ford and Willie Foster. Later he moved to Oxford, Mississippi where he leared from playing with members of the Burnside Family. It was in Oxford where he started Jay Lang & the Devils Due, a raucous, driven blues band that took no prisoners. ”
Review – I really like this guy, you can tell he has put in the time to learn from the greats as far as finger picking and his approach on vocals. This is definitely a Jay Lang CD as he sings, plays Guitar and Plays Bass on many of the Tunes. Jay writes most of the songs but he does cover “Shake It, Break It” and by Charley Patton and does a great rendition. I think Jay’s writing is his strength. Joining Jay on this CD is Paul Taylor on Drums, Harold Tremblay on Harmonica, Brad Porter on Drums, Bob Dowell on Trombone, Eric Carlton on Keys, and Nate Robbins on Bass. “Pine Box”, “Too Much” and “Sweet Honey” are some of my standouts but I think my favorite is “Hopalong Tracy″, amazing lyrics, listen here. I will give this a 10 on Blues Content and a 10 on Music Content.
The Kerry Dearney Band – The Kerry Dearney Band (Pardiddle)
Bio – “Kerry Kearney (pronounced “Car-Nee”), a slide guitar master, plays and works his instrument to limits that amaze even the most seasoned musician or cultured music fan. The sounds Kerry creates from his vintage, stock and custom made guitars are as unique as his song writing and original melodies. Kerry was voted “Best Guitarist of 1999” by the LI Voice and “Bluesman of the Year 2004” by the LI Blues Society. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Long Island Sound Award (L.I.S.A.) from the LI Music Hall of Fame and most recently, in 2013, he and his band mates were each inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame. He has toured nationally and internationally with the Allman Brothers Band and Dickey Betts, and has performed with such contemporaries as Sonny Landreth and Robert Randolf. Kerry and his band have shared the stage with the great BB King at the NYCB Westbury Theater and at the Paramount Theater in Huntington, NY, as well as Robert Cray with the Blind Boys of Alabama and The Blues Brothers starring Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi. Kerry Kearney’s style, music from the “Psychedelta”, is his own brand containing an upbeat mix of American Blues & Roots, created from writing and performing on the circuit for over 40 years. Along with his band, he has continued to experience an overwhelming and positive response over the airwaves and especially when performing live. His wailing upbeat style of blues, driven by tasty, inspired guitar riffs, electrifying slide and infectious rhythms, has allowed Kerry to amass a huge loyal following. The Kerry Kearney Band recently celebrated 20 years to a sold-out show at the Boulton Center in Bay Shore, NY.”
Review – Great guitarist and not a bad singer, but love his band’s energy on this CD. He starts off by doing Otis Rush’s “All Your Love” and does an incredible version. He doesn’t list the artist on this album on the CD cover or on his Web Page, and it is too bad as there is some great harmonica on one of the songs and a female singer that does a great job on a couple of the tunes, he definitely gets deducted some points for this error. “Harder To Breathe” and “Bobbique Romp” stood out as winners but I think my favorite is “All Your Love″, and it is the only one I can find on line, listen here. I will give this a 9 on Blues Content and a 9 on Music Content (points deducted).
Tad Robinson – Soul In Blue (Delmark Records)
Bio – “Singer and harmonica player Tad Robinson is one of the leading voices of modern soul-blues music. From his NYC roots and his Indiana and Chicago musical upbringing, Tad has caught the attention of the scene with his 10 Blues Music Award nominations and his recordings for Delmark Records and the Severn Records label. He tours widely in the U.S. and has played in over 20 countries worldwide with performances at some of the most important international blues festivals. With Harmonica chops influenced by Junior Wells and Junior Parker and a voice inspired by Otis Redding, Syl Johnson, Al Green, and Teddy Pendergrass, Tad ranks as one of the most unique and talented members of the international blues and soul communities. After being recruited by guitarist Dave Specter to join his Chicago band in the 1990s and record the studio album, Blueplicity as well as a “live-in-Europe” release, Tad has gone on to collaborate with some of the highest profile musicians in the genre. In 2004, Robinson was signed to a record deal with Maryland-based soul/blues focussed, Severn Records, a turning point in his career which moved him further into the blues spotlight. His last five album releases for Severn have featured backing by the great Severn house band of Steve Gomes, Robb Stupka, Kevin Anker and Benjie Porecki, and horn and string arrangements by the legendary producer-arranger Willie Henderson. The Severn output has also included guest appearances by the Memphis Horns, Otis Clay, Anson Funderburgh, Johnny Moeller, Alex Schultz, Devin B. Thompson, and the Hi Rhythm Section.”
Review – Now this is a voice!! Reminds me of early R&B, superb album. Tad writes most of the songs on this CD and he has way too many musicians on this album to mention but his core musicians are Kevin Anker on Keys, Paul Holdman on Guitar, Brian Varde on Drums and David Murray on Bass. Special guest include The Delmark All-Stars, Dave Specter on Guitar and Tomi Leino on Guitar just to name a view. Tad is a very educated Harmonica player, pulling licks from all the legends. Some of the standouts for me were “It’s Private Tonight” and “This Time”. My favorite is “Keep It In The Vault″, I think it has some amazing lyrics and is probably the bluesist tune on the album, listen here. I will give this a 10 on Blues Content and a 10+ on Music Content.
Dave Specter – Live At Space (Delmark Records)
Bio – “Dave Specter has earned an international reputation as one of the premier talents on the Chicago music scene. Since 1985 Specter has performed regularly at top venues and festivals throughout the USA and has toured internationally in 19 countries. Before forming his own band in 1989, Specter toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe behind such blues greats as Son Seals, The Legendary Blues Band, Hubert Sumlin, Sam Lay and Steve Freund. Specter has also performed and/or recorded with such artists as Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Otis Rush, Jimmy Rogers, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Jimmy Johnson, Jack McDuff, Johnny Adams, Snooky Pryor, Kim Wilson, Tad Robinson, John Primer, Johnny Littlejohn, B.B. Odom, Mighty Joe Young, Magic Slim, Lonnie Brooks, Ronnie Earl, Otis Clay, Floyd McDaniel, Pinetop Perkins and Jorma Kaukonen from Hot Tuna and Jefferson Airplane. Dave has performed for the President of the United States, the Governor of Illinois and the Mayor of Chicago. Dave appears on over 50 albums and DVDs as a guitarist, bandleader and/or producer, with 13 albums as a leader or co-leader on Delmark Records. His double album, Six String Soul 30 Years on Delmark was released in 2021 on CD and vinyl.”
Review – What a fabulous album and incredible guitarist, every time I hear him play he amazes me. Maybe not the best voice in the world but he makes it work perfectly with his voice. Dave handles the Vocals and Guitar, Brother John Kattke on Vocals and Keys, Rodrigo Mantovani on Bass and Marty Binder on Drums. “Rumba & Tonic”, “Homework” and “Same Old Blues” are some of my stand outs but I think my favorite is “Deep Elem Blues″, mainly because I love that song, listen here. I will give this a 10+ on Blues Content and a 10+ on Music Content.
Andy Fairweather Low – The Invisible Bluesman (Last Records)
Bio – “His career has to an extent been defined by early pop successes, but every single one of Andy Fairweather Low’s performances has always been shaped by his blues, gospel and soul influences. It is ironic that although he first burst onto the scene in Britain in 1967 with a UK top twenty hit record of Gin House Blues which was inspired by Bessie Smith’s 1928 classic recording, the many hits he has enjoyed since then from his days fronting Amen Corner have gradually hidden his undeniable credentials as a great bluesman. However, this extraordinary talent hasn’t escaped the notice of some of the world’s finest artists who have drawn on his deep blue skills as a guitarist and singer. Eric Clapton of course leads an incredibly impressive list of Andy’s discerning employers and collaborators which includes, BB King, Benmont Tench, Bill Wyman, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Charlie Watts, Chris Barber, Chris Rea, Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown, Dave Edmunds, David Crosby, David Gilmour, David Sanborn, Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn, Edie Brickell, Elton John, Emmylou Harris, Garth Hudson, George Harrison, Georgie Fame, Gerry Rafferty, Jackson Browne, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Joe Cocker, Joe Satriani, John Mayall, Kate Bush, Levon Helm, Linda Ronstadt, Lonnie Donegan, Mary J. Blige, Mick Hucknall, Otis Rush, Paul Weller, Paul Young, Pete Townshend, Phil Collins, Richard and Linda Thompson, Rick Danko, Ringo Starr, Roger Waters, Ronnie Lane, Sheryl Crow, Steve Gadd, Steve Winwood, Stevie Nicks, The Impressions, The Who, Van Morrison, Warren Zevon, and hundreds more. Andy has largely missed the recognition he deserves in the blues world and that is probably because up until now, he has never released a blues album.”
Review – Why haven’t I heard of this guy before!! He is incredible with an incredible history of music, now at 76 years old he has finally put out this blues album of his favorite performances of blues. His voice reminds me of early Clapton and guitar playing is stellar, Among the key players with him are Dave Bronze or Ian Jennings on bass, Chris Stainton or Richard Milner on keyboards and Paul Beavis or Henry Spinetti on drums. Every song is a gem, but standouts are “Gin House Blues”, “When Things Go Wrong” and a Cool version of “Mystery Train” But I think my favorite is “Bright Lights Big City″, This is a concert with Clapton playing guitar, listen here. I will give this a 10++ on Blues Content and a 10++ on Music Content.
