Looking Back at 2020 Part 2

For my second post of 2021, I am looking back at a selection of outstanding recordings and books that I posted about this past year. I am selecting one item from each month. This is not a list of best recordings, but ones that I wish to highlight again, particularly since in some months I could have chosen others. I have linked the full blog post for each item.

I did the first half of 2020 yesterday.

July 2020 

Omer Kringel
Okan Project

"Musically, this release is a multi-cultural, multi-lingual street party with irresistible, high energy grooves, punchy horn lines, and exuberant vocals. A brief instrumental intro leads into the Afro-Cuban "Pacto del Alma," with a compelling groove, and the weaving of instrumental voices with the varied singers. 'Sembrar Amor" maintains the tropical musical flavor with shifting vocal and instrumental textures (including Heryberto Bonilla Granja's marvelous marimba). "Freedom Key," one of two selections in English. It brings forth an almost frenetic klezmer wedding rhythm as J. Hoard sings, "The key to our freedom is right here/ key to our freedom is right here/ key to our freedom is here within us." This is only a hint of the diverseness of the music here such a Moorish-Sephardic flavor to "Blossom," the flamenco-rooted "Descalços," and the lovely, thoughtful "Shekhinah." The result is a jubilant, superbly recorded and performed digital-only release."

Here is a link to the full review. https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/07/omer-kringel-okan-project.html.

August 2020

Jimmy Heath
Love Letter
Verve

Gary Giddins relates in the liner notes for "Love Letter," its origin arose from a query, friend, and photographer, Carol Friedman, who asked if Jimmy Heath would record an album of ballads. The answer is this recording, which Giddins scribes as "Heath's stunningly elegant last testament." On this, his final recordings, Heath is supported by a fabulous backing band of pianist Kenny Barron, guitarist Russell Malone, vibraphonist Monte Croft, bassist David Wong, and drummer Lewis Nash. Augmenting the group on separate tracks are vocalists Gregory Porter and Cécile McLorin Salvant, and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.

…

The album closes with Heath's poignant performance of "Don't Explain," a song that Barron, Croft, and Nash recorded with Heath, later overdubbing a solo of considerable beauty and feeling. As Carol Friedman stated about Heath, "His mastery is such that you could swear that the rhythm section—Kenny in particular—is following Jimmy's lead." It is the coda of a remarkable recording, and career belies the fact that Jimmy Heath was 93 at the time. There is nothing in the robustness of his playing and impeccable pitch and timing that suggested any diminishment of his talent. Gary Giddins closes his liner notes, "Farewell, Jimmy, and welcome back. Consider this the second *rebirth*, because people are going to be talking about you all over again." Indeed, with this outstanding recording, people will be talking about Jimmy Heath for many more years.

Here is a link to the full review. https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/08/jimmy-heath-love-letter.html 

September 2020

Bettye Lavette
Blackbirds
Verve

"Blackbirds" is the latest recording from the great Bettye Lavette. This recording is Lavette's celebration of some iconic black women artists by performing songs associated with these women. It is produced by Steve Jordan, who produced Lavette's Grammy-nominated "Things Have Changed." Musically it has the clean, austere setting providing a backdrop for her sharp, at times, acidic delivery. The personnel includes guitarist Smokey Hormel, keyboardist Leon Pendarvis, drummer Steve Jordan, and bassist Tom Barney.

…

With Hormel's spare guitar anchoring the backing, Lavette closes this recording with her interpretation of The Beatles' "Blackbird," again displaying how she can impart so much emotion in a song. One suspects that this outstanding release will garner Bettye LaVette more Grammy nominations. She is an American classic artist.

Here is a link to the full review. https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/09/bettye-lavette-blackbirds.html

October 2020

Chick Corea
Plays
Concord Jazz

On this compilation of mostly solo piano performances, Chick Corea engages audiences with a program that includes surprising pairings of his favorite influences as well as spontaneous improvisations, and his own compositions. Corea, these performances engage with a wide swath of musical history before enthusiastic audiences in concert halls across Europe and the U.S. The performances here are from concerts in Clearwater, Florida; Paris, and Berlin. 

…

The album closes with Corea revisiting some of the Children's Songs he composed in the 1970s. It continues the exploratory and playful character of these performances. "Plays" is another recording that displays Chick Corea's virtuosity and musical brilliance. 

Here is a link to the full review. https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/10/chick-corea-plays.html

November 2020

Nora Jean Wallace
BluesWoman
Severn Records

Music lovers have reason to celebrate the return of Nora Jean Wallace with a new CD, "BluesWoman." It has been 16 years since Severn issued her acclaimed "Going Back to Mississippi." She left the music scene to take care of her ailing mother, but now she returns with this release. About that earlier album, I wrote that she "has shown herself as among those who will carry on and follow Koko Taylor and keep 'this great music alive and vital.'" Taylor was a major influence on her, and like Taylor, she has a deep, husky voice with an authoritative, no-nonsense attack. 

…

Dance With Me" is a solidly performed and enjoyable, if lightweight, track. The album closes with the strong, moody "I Don't Have to Beg You to Love Me," with another assured, passionate vocal. It is the finale on Nora Jean Wallace's most welcome return. On the outstanding "BluesWoman," Nora Jean Wallace shows that she is still a vibrant, superb singer and backed by an excellent studio band. 

Here is a link to the full review.  https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/11/nora-jean-wallace-blueswoman.html

December 2020

Henry Gray & Bob Corritore
Henry Gray & Bob Corritore Sessions Vol. 2: Cold Chills
SWMAF Records/ Vizztone

This is the second volume of performances the late Henry Gray made with Bob Corritore, the Phoenix blues promoter, harmonica player, and record producer. It collects 14 performances (and one phone message) recorded over the span of a couple of decades. Gray was a mainstay of Howlin' Wolf's band for over a decade before relocating to Louisiana. He passed away in January 2020 at the age of 95. I wrote about the previous volume, "This is a solid and delightful collection of classic Chicago blues with a touch Louisiana swamp blues mixed in. Given that this is labeled Vol. 1, one looks forward to a further release of Henry Gray's blues sessions with Bob Corritore." That further release has arrived.

…

Gray provides a robust vocal to "Mother-in-Law Blues" with a choice Robert Lockwood Jr. guitar solo in addition to Gray's choruses. The is plenty of energy in Gray's rendition of J.B. Lenoir's "The Mojo," and even an unusual cover of Hank Ballard's "The Twist." This number was from Gray's last Phoenix session with Corritore. This collection of Henry Gray performances closes with a robust rendition of "Going Down Slow," with outstanding guitar from Johnny Rapp. The performances here are consistently enjoyable with several exceptional ones. As I said about the earlier release, this is a delightful collection of Chicago blues with a touch of Louisiana swamp blues. 

Here is a link to the full review. https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/12/henry-gray-bob-corritore-sessions-vol-2.html

Looking Back at 2020 Part 1

 

 

For my first post of 2021, I am looking back at a selection of outstanding recordings and books that I posted about this past year. I am selecting one item from each month. This is not a list of best recordings, but ones that I wish to highlight again, particularly since in some months I could have chosen others. I have linked the full blog post for each item.

I am doing the first half of 2020 today, and tomorrow will be the second half.

January 2020

Jimmy Johnson
Every Day Of Your Life
Delmark Records

 Released in late 2019 I wrote, 

" Going to the 2019 Chicago Blues Festival, one of the acts I was most anxious to see was Jimmy Johnson, who was celebrating his 90th birthday. I had not seen him since he played the Pocono Blues Festival in 2007, and his performance that night did not disappoint. Johnson's new CD does not disappoint, and it is striking how strong his vocals are as well as his guitar playing. 

…

Johnson still performs at a high level and is provided with excellent support here. Add in the terrific originals and covers, and the result is one of the best new blues albums of 2019."

Here is the post link: https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/01/jimmy-johnson-every-day-of-your-life.html. 

February 2020

Jeff Rupert - George Garzone
The Ripple
Rupe Media

"The Ripple," the title of the new CD by tenor saxophonists Jeff Rupert and George Garzone, refers "to the far-reaching effect of Lester Young's voice in music." Rupert is the director of The Flying Horse Band out of the University of Central Florida's Jazz Program. Besides being a master of the tenor saxophone, Garzone is a revered educator, with noted students including Joshua Redman, Branford Marsalis, and Donny McCaslin. Besides being educators, they are both superior tenor saxophonists. Backing them is a first-rate rhythm section of Richard Drexler on piano, Jeremy Allen on bass, and Marty Morrell on drums, all of whom have a lengthy association with Rupert.

…

"Rupert and Garzone are superb saxophonists playing some marvelous songs and backed by a first-rate rhythm section. The result is this extraordinary recording."

Here is the post link: https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/02/jeff-rupert-george-garzone-ripple.html.

March 2020

Sweet Bitter Blues: Washington DC's Homemade Blues
Phil Wiggins and Frank Matheis
2020: University of Mississippi Press: 286 pp

 "It is welcome that this long-awaited collaboration between bluesman Phil Wiggins and journalist Frank Matheis has finally arrived in print. Centered around Phil Wiggins' recollection of his life and his career as a blues artist, he and Matheis provide welcome documentation of the Washington D.C. acoustic blues scene and community over the past half-century or so. In addition to Phil Wiggins autobiography, they give an overview of the D.C. blues scene in the 1960s, of performers that have been and are part of the D.C. acoustic blues scene, Phil Wiggins' tips for harmonica players, and Barry Lee Person's interviews with John Cephas and Archie Edwards.

"The highest compliment I can make of this book, besides how much I enjoyed reading it, is that I learned so much about the D.C. acoustic blues scene. It is also handsomely illustrated. "Sweet Bitter Blues" is an invaluable addition to the literature about the blues."

Here is the post link: https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/03/sweet-bitter-blues-washington-dcs.html.

April 2020: 

Louis Hayes and the Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band
Live at Cory Weeds' Jazz Club
Cellar Live Records

" Not much to say, but this quintet captures the blues-drenched hard bop soul that characterized Adderley's great band. Indeed, things get off to a terrific start with "Exodus." The performances throughout are outstanding with the rendition of "Dat Here," with a superb Germanson solo being a specific highlight. Hayes and Douglas drive the hot grooves here while Herring and Pelt are characteristically exceptional. The closing notes of "Sack Of Woe" conclude a superb performance."

Here is the post link: https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/04/louis-hayes-and-cannonball-adderley.html.

May 2020:

Lynne Arriale Trio
Chimes of Freedom
Challenge Records International

"For her 15th album, pianist Lynne Arriale has put together her reflections on freedom, cultural diversity, and her hope for refugee families to find a safe haven among the world's democratic nations. Arriale is joined on this recording by bassist and co-producer Jasper Somsen, and drummer, E. J. Strickland. Singer-songwriter K.J. Denhart adds vocals to two of the ten tunes, seven of which are Arriale originals.

…

"Lynne Arriale plays lyrically throughout with clarity, elegance, and grace while Somsen and Strickland complement her with their empathetic playing. The Lynne Arriale Trio's "Chimes of Freedom" is an excellent, stirring recording."

Here is the post link: https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/05/lynne-arriale-trio-chimes-of-freedom.html. 

June 2020:

Vienna Carroll and the Folk
Harlem Field Recordings
Self-Produced

"The variety of her repertoire encompasses a wide range of folkloric connections from classic acoustic blues, spirituals, sea shanties, hollers and shouts, and work songs. The authority she brings is evident from "Strawberries and Cream," where she shouts like a street vendor selling berries and praising glory. Another selection is the lively spiritual with call and response of "You Better Mind," with Henrique Prince adding saw-toned violin. Another jubilant spiritual performance is "Let's Go Down to the River." 

 …

 "One of the most moving tracks is a lullaby and work song, "All the Pretty Little Horses." Vienna introduces it, noting that it came from a time when a slave mother would have to breast-feed a plantation owner's baby at the expense of her child. The string accompaniment adds to the somber mood of a stunning performance that stands out in a totally superb album."

 Here is the post link:https://inabluemood.blogspot.com/2020/06/vienna-carroll-and-folk-harlem-field.html.